The Ultimate Instant Pot Bolognese: Rich, Meaty Sauce in Under an Hour
Instant Pot Bolognese is the perfect easy comfort food solution for any night of the week. This incredibly rich, savory, and meaty sauce tastes like it’s been lovingly cooked for hours, yet it comes together effortlessly in less than an hour thanks to the magic of your pressure cooker. Prepare to enjoy homemade meat sauce made simple and spectacular.
Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I will receive a small commission.
Get ready to absolutely fall in love with this recipe. We’re talking about a culinary experience that will redefine your weeknight meals and become a cherished go-to in your recipe collection. This Instant Pot Bolognese isn’t just a meal; it’s a revelation, delivering profound depth of flavor and irresistible richness with minimal effort. It’s the kind of dish that truly speaks to your soul, offering unparalleled comfort and satisfaction.
The Magic of Instant Pot Bolognese: Quick Comfort Food Done Right
There are very few recipes that resonate with me on such a profound level, but this Instant Pot Bolognese is undoubtedly one of them. It’s the kind of recipe that will cling to your heart, calling you back time and again whenever you yearn for a truly comforting and deeply satisfying meal. And isn’t that precisely what this time of year often demands?
While many of you might be embarking on health-focused resolutions, like a Whole30 January or a new dietary plan, there’s always an undeniable part of you that simply craves something hearty and warming on a crisp, chilly day. This recipe perfectly bridges the gap between indulging in comforting flavors and maintaining a balanced lifestyle.
For a long time, I had a complex love/hate relationship with comfort food, especially during the colder months. I felt compelled to eat “healthy” throughout January, yet my body yearned for the very hearty, soul-satisfying dishes that define true comfort food. This year, I made a conscious decision to break free from rigid dietary boxes. I vowed to eat healthy whenever I could, but crucially, I would not deny myself the profound joy that comes from savoring genuine comfort food.
Embracing Joy Without Guilt: A Mindful Approach to Eating
Best. Decision. Ever. The burden of guilt has truly lifted, allowing me to enjoy nutritious meals alongside rich, hearty comfort food whenever the mood strikes. This mindful approach has brought a sense of freedom and happiness I hadn’t experienced before, not to mention a renewed sense of well-being. So, for those moments when you absolutely NEED a generous bowl of pasta, this Instant Pot Bolognese is the ultimate recipe to satisfy those cravings without compromise.
Yes, it’s a pasta sauce recipe, but it’s a pasta sauce recipe that transcends anything you could ever hope to achieve from a jar. Instant Pot Bolognese is pure culinary magic and perfection. This sauce literally tastes like it’s been simmering on the stove for an entire day, slowly developing its complex flavors, but in reality, the entire recipe is beautifully wrapped up in under an hour. This speed and depth of flavor are precisely what makes the Instant Pot an indispensable tool for modern home cooks.
Unbelievable Flavor in Record Time
FOR REAL. My mouth is watering just at the thought of preparing this dish one more time. The robust combination of meats, aromatic vegetables, rich tomatoes, and a splash of red wine, all harmonized by the pressure cooker, creates an unforgettable experience. You are absolutely going to add this to your regular comfort food rotation from now until forever, trust me. It’s that good.
The Instant Pot truly excels at breaking down tougher cuts of meat and infusing flavors deeply in a fraction of the traditional cooking time. This means you get the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture of a slow-cooked Bolognese and the complex, layered taste without waiting for hours. It’s ideal for busy weeknights when you crave something special but don’t have endless time to spend in the kitchen. Plus, the one-pot nature of this recipe (before cooking the pasta, of course) means less cleanup, which is always a bonus!
Essential Ingredients for a Perfect Bolognese
To achieve that quintessential rich Bolognese flavor, a few key ingredients are paramount:
- Aromatic Base: Onion and garlic are the foundation, providing a sweet and pungent depth.
- The Fat Factor: Starting with vegetable oil and butter, then adding thick-cut bacon, builds an incredible flavor base and ensures richness. The bacon renders its fat, adding a smoky, savory dimension that is simply irresistible.
- Meaty Blend: A combination of ground pork and ground beef chuck is traditional for Bolognese. The pork adds tenderness and sweetness, while the beef provides robust, savory notes. Browning the meat thoroughly is crucial for developing deep umami flavors.
- Fresh Herbs: Rosemary adds a woody, fragrant touch that elevates the entire sauce.
- Red Wine: A splash of red wine is essential for deglazing the pot, releasing all those flavorful browned bits from the bottom, and adding complexity and a subtle tang to the sauce. Choose a dry red wine you’d enjoy drinking.
- Quality Tomatoes: San Marzano tomatoes are highly prized for their balanced sweetness and low acidity. Using both a 28 oz and a 14.5 oz can ensures ample tomato flavor. Sun-dried tomatoes further intensify the sweetness and provide a concentrated burst of flavor.
Tips for the Best Instant Pot Bolognese
- Don’t Skimp on Browning: Take your time to properly brown the bacon and then the ground meats. This step is crucial for developing deep, rich flavors through the Maillard reaction.
- Deglaze Properly: After browning the meat, add the red wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the Instant Pot. This prevents a “burn” error and adds immense flavor to the sauce.
- Pasta Choice: While the recipe suggests bucatini, which is excellent for trapping sauce, feel free to use your favorite pasta shape. Pappardelle, tagliatelle, or even rigatoni work beautifully.
- Finishing Touch: Don’t forget to toss the cooked pasta with a little butter and a few ladlefuls of sauce before serving. This ensures every strand is coated and delicious. A generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese is non-negotiable!
This Recipe’s Must-Haves
To truly master this Instant Pot Bolognese, having the right tools makes all the difference. I recently started using the Instant Pot Ultra 6 Qt 10-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Cooker, and I absolutely LOVE IT! Its intuitive LCD screen and versatile settings make pressure cooking incredibly easy and enjoyable. You’ll be amazed at how much it streamlines your daily kitchen routine.
For serving this magnificent sauce, my go-to is the inexpensive yet incredibly durable OXO Good Grips Nylon Ladle. It’s the reliable workhorse you see pictured throughout this post!
And when it comes to cooking your pasta to perfection, a quality stock pot is essential. I constantly rely on this Le Creuset Enamel-on-Steel Covered Stockpot, 10-Quart for all my pasta cooking needs and more!
Instant Pot Bolognese
5 minutes
40 minutes
45 minutes
prevent your screen from going dark
equipment
-
Instant Pot Ultra 6 Qt
-
OXO Good Grips Nylon Ladle
-
Covered Stockpot
ingredients
- 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 Tbsp butter plus 1 tablespoon for tossing the pasta
- ½ cup chopped yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon
- 2 sprigs rosemary
- 1/4 lb ground pork
- 1/2 lb ground beef chuck
- 1/2 tsp salt + more to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper + more to taste
- 1 cup red wine
- One 28 oz canned chopped San Marzano tomatoes
- One 14.5 oz canned chopped San Marzano tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes drained
- 1 lb pasta I love to use bucatini but you can use whatever your favorite is
- Freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
instructions
-
Set Instant Pot to Sauté and add oil and 3 Tbsp butter. Once the oil is hot and butter is melted, add onion, garlic, bacon slices, and rosemary. Cook until the onions are softened and the garlic is browned, about 3 to 4 minutes.
-
Remove bacon and rosemary. Add pork, beef, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine, cooking for a couple of minutes until the meat is browned.
-
Stir in red wine and allow to cook for about 5 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze. Stir in all tomatoes (chopped and sun-dried).
-
Secure the lid on the Instant Pot. Ensure the vent is sealed. Cover and cook on Manual pressure (or High Pressure setting, depending on your model) for 30 minutes. Once cooking is complete, perform a quick release of the pressure by carefully turning the vent.
-
While the sauce is cooking, approximately 15 minutes before it’s finished, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
-
Drain the cooked pasta and return it to the hot pan. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and a few generous ladlefuls of the finished Bolognese sauce, tossing gently to ensure every strand is beautifully coated. Divide the pasta among serving bowls and top with a large helping of the rich Bolognese sauce. Finish with an abundance of freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Comfort Food, Italian
Pasta, Main Dish
Serving Suggestions & Storage
This versatile Instant Pot Bolognese isn’t just for pasta. It’s fantastic served over creamy polenta, fluffy gnocchi, or even as a filling for lasagna or shepherd’s pie. For a lighter meal, spoon it over roasted vegetables or baked potatoes. The possibilities are endless for enjoying this flavorful sauce.
Leftovers are even better the next day, as the flavors have more time to meld. Store any remaining Bolognese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, this sauce freezes beautifully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags and store for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to reach your desired consistency.
Conclusion: Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal
The Instant Pot Bolognese recipe is more than just a quick meal; it’s a testament to how modern kitchen appliances can help us achieve classic, deeply satisfying flavors without compromising on time or quality. This rich, meaty, and aromatic sauce will undoubtedly become a staple in your home, bringing warmth and joy to your dining table with every single spoonful. Say goodbye to store-bought sauces and hello to homemade perfection, made easy.