Slow simmered flavor in less than an hour, this Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce is simple to make any day of the week. Rich, hearty and packed with savory flavor, this Bolognese recipe doesn’t have to wait for the weekend.

Bolognese Sauce over linguine.


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Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce

I’m slowly finding love for my Instant Pot beyond the usual meal prepping items or quick cooking artichokes I’ve been whipping up. I want it to be a kitchen staple like so many others have claimed it to be….the one thing I reach for when I want to make an amazing meal in an Instant. (See what I did there?) It wasn’t until now that I think I cracked the Instant Pot code with this easy Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce.

My family absolutely LOVES this Bolognese Sauce recipe I’ve been making for years. It’s one of those recipes I set aside a whole afternoon for so I can slow simmer it all day long. And since it’s an investment in time, the recipe was designed for either a super large crowd (like the Italian family I used to want to belong to) or to batch cook easy meals for the future.

My Bolognese Sauce is everything you would want it to be and has been a hit for years. I make it for friends when they have babies or are moving to a new home. I make it for my family when there’s a chill in the air and we had to bust out the fluffy sweaters. I make it on snow days when the kids are home all day and I want the house to smell cozy, warm and amazing.

If you’re here looking for something less meat-y….this easy Spaghetti Sauce is just what you’re looking for!

Overhead shot of two white bowls with Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce.

It is seriously the BEST Bolognese Sauce but it just takes so dang long to make SO I thought I’d give it a go in the Instant Pot and am totally thrilled that I did! It’s so amazingly tasty, just like it’s slow simmered sibling and I can have spaghetti bolognese on the table in less than an hour!

And, the shocker here, I don’t even like red sauce on my pasta! But this Pasta Bolognese is so incredibly good I could eat buckets of it all day, every day. So, if you’re a Bolognese fan, you’re going to want to make this ASAP.

Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce with a ladle of sauce.

What is Bolognese Sauce?

Classic Bolognese Sauce is a is an Italian sauce for pasta made with a blend of meat, such as beef or pork, slow cooked with onions, carrots, celery, garlic and tomatoes. Traditionally, milk or cream is stirred in for a rich, creamy texture which I do not do in this recipe or my OG Bolognese Sauce recipe, either.

If you want to go the traditional route, you can stir in 1/2 cup milk or cream to the Bolognese sauce at the end of cooking.

Overhead shot of Bolognese Sauce ingredients in an Instant Pot.

How To Make It

This easy Instant Pot Bolognese sauce recipe is so easy to make! Because we’re limited by the size of the Instant Pot, you won’t be able to make a huge batch like I do with my OG Bolognese. This is the Instant Pot I own and love!

Also, in the original Bolognese recipe I use sausage and veal. I kept them out of this recipe because I didn’t want to overfill the Instant Pot. And I browned the meat in a separate pot BUT you can totally use the saute function on the Instant Pot to brown your beef and pork before adding the vegetables.

In a large, heavy dutch oven or stock pot, heat olive oil over med/high heat.

Add the ground beef being careful not to crowd the pot. Cook over med/high heat until browned and remove with a slotted spoon to a large bowl.

Drain all but 2 tablespoons of the fat, add the Pork to the pot and cook until browned. Remove with slotted spoon and add to the bowl with the beef.

Transfer the beef, pork, onions, carrots, garlic and oregano to the Instant Pot.

Add the wine to the pot and stir.

Add the tomatoes and stir thoroughly. Stir in the parsley, basil, sugar, salt and pepper. 

Place the lid on the Instant Pot and lock in place.

Turn the valve to sealing.

Select Pressure Cook (or manual) and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. (It will take approximately 10 minutes to come to pressure before cooking)

Once the cook time is finished, allow the pressure to release naturally…DO NOT TOUCH IT. This will take about an additional 10 minutes.

Remove the lid and stir the sauce. 

Serve the bolognese over rigatoni, pappardelle, spaghetti or just dip a big hunk of bread in it!

Overhead shot of ingredients for Bolognese in an Instant Pot.

What To Serve With It

My favorite things to serve alongside Pasta Bolognese are super simple to make while your sauce is cooking. We love this Loaded Wedge Salad for some freshness and crunch. This easy Brioche takes some time but if you’re planning ahead you can totally bake it up on the weekend….or just buy a loaf at your local grocery store.

We also love it with these super quick Parmesan Crisps! They add some amazing crunch with cheesy goodness. So magical!

Bolognese sauce on linguine in a white bowl.

How To Use Leftover Bolognese Sauce

White plate with pasta bolognese and gold fork with pasta twirled on it.

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Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce Recipe

Yield: 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Easy Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce that tastes like it simmered all day….but it's ready in less than an hour.
5 from 1 vote
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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb ground pork
  • 1 medium Vidalia onions diced
  • 1 cup of finely diced carrots
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 1 28 ounce cans fire roasted crushed tomatoes
  • 1 28 ounce cans pureed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  • 1 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Pressure Cooker
  • Instant Pot

Instructions 

  • In a large, heavy dutch oven or stock pot, heat olive oil over med/high heat.
  • Add the ground beef being careful not to crowd the pot. Cook over med/high heat until browned and remove with a slotted spoon to a large bowl.
  • Drain all but 2 tablespoons of the fat, add the pork to the pot and cook until browned. Remove with slotted spoon and add to the bowl with the beef.
  • Transfer the meat to the Instant Pot. Stir in the onions, carrots, garlic and oregano to the meat.
  • Add the wine to the Instant Pot and stir.
  • Stir in the tomatoes.
  • Add in the parsley, basil, sugar, salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
  • Lock the lid in place and turn the valve to sealing.
  • Select Pressure Cook (or manuaand cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. (It will take approximately 10 minutes to come to pressure before cooking)
  • Once the cook time is finished, allow the pressure to release naturally…DO NOT TOUCH IThis will take about an additional 10 minutes.
  • Remove the lid and stir the sauce. Check for seasoning and add salt/pepper, if desired.
  • Serve over pasta.

Notes

Bolognese Sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze your bolognese sauce in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
Calories: 430kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 28g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 81mg, Sodium: 357mg, Potassium: 1063mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 13g, Vitamin A: 3247IU, Vitamin C: 24mg, Calcium: 125mg, Iron: 5mg
Author: Kellie
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian