Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce Recipe (Pressure Cooker Bolognese) (2024)

Instant pot Bolognese sauce is a quicker version of this classic Italian dinner recipe. No hassle, quicker than on a stovetop but equally delicious!

If you like Spaghetti Bolognese, then you will definitely enjoy this instant pot Bolognese sauce.

What to cook inInstant Pot?

There are endless possibilities when it comes to cooking in a pressure cooker. Soups, stews, pasta sauces (see this pressure cooker Bolognese sauce), rice (check myFried Rice), chili or curry dishes (Chicken Curry), Pulled Pork.

There are hundreds ofrecipes you can make in your Instant Pot!

How to make Bolognese sauce in an Instant Pot:

Prep the veggies:Dice the carrots, celery and finely chop the onion. Press the “SAUTE” function and throw all the veggies in. Saute this for about 5 minutes.

Turn off the saute function and add the rest of the ingredients.

Mix everything well and close the lid. I buy plum tinned tomatoes so I like to break them with a wooden spoon before I close the lid.

Turn the steam release to the “SEALING” position. Press “MANUAL” (or “PRESSURE COOK” on newer models) and adjust the time to 5 minutes. Yes, 5 minutes is all it takes to make this instant pot Bolognese sauce.

Remember, that the pressure cooker needs time before AND after the active cooking time to bring the pot to pressure and then release the pressure. This time varies with every dish.

When making this Bolognese sauce count for about 10 minutes for pressurizing and after the cooking is finished, wait 10 minutes before releasing the pressure.

Tip: Let the pot depressurize itself and keep the food on the “KEEP WARM” function until you are ready to serve. It should keep warm for a few hours.

Note:I add a lot of carrots and celery because they give this Bolognese sauce an amazing flavor and that is exactly how I was taught to do it by an Italian. If you prefer more meat, rather than veggies, then simply decrease the number of carrots and celery and increase the amount of ground meat.

I recommend using less salt at the beginning and adding more (if needed) after the cooking is finished. Bear in mind that every salt has a different level of saltiness.

Bolognese sauce – Ingredient substitutions:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil– regular olive oil or sunflower/vegetable oil can be also used. However, I highly recommend using olive oil.
• Ground Beef or Pork– you can also use a mix of beef and pork.
• Celery & Carrots– these add a ton of flavor to the pasta sauce so would not omit them nor would I substitute them. Because they are cooked in an Instant Pot, they are so soft they will melt in your mouth. However, you can reduce their amount if you feel like 3 of each sound too much for you.
• Plum Tomatoes – To achieve a thicker consistency, you can substitute these with pureed tomatoes. They are richer and not that watery.

Frequently asked questions:

Can you freeze Bolognese sauce?
Yes, you can! Let it cool and pour it into a freezer-friendly container with a lid or use a resealable plastic bag.

I hope you will like this instant pot Bolognese sauce as much as we do.

What to serve with Bolognese sauce?

• Salad – Make anything you like. I love this simple and quick Romaine Salad but Goat Cheese Salad is also a tasty option, just to give you some ideas.
• Garlic Bread – This is so easy to make at home!
• Focaccia

What pasta is best for this sauce?

While in the US spaghetti is the most popular choice, in Italy it would be tagliatelle or pappardelle.

What else can I make with this ragu?

Use it in lasagna or make stuffed zucchini!

I hope you will like this pressure cooker recipe as much as we do.

It reduces the cooking time significantly and its hassle-free prep makes Bolognese sauce in a pressure cooker definitely worth it!

More popular instant pot recipes:

• Chicken Risotto – A simplified recipe for any risotto lover!
• Stuffed Bell Peppers – Easy preparation!
• Instant Pot Pasta – Tasty dinner ready on your table in 25 minutes!

Want to see how to make instant pot Bolognese sauce? Watch the video!

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