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Make up a rich and delicious bolognese sauce quickly and easily in your Instant Pot. Made with ground beef and vegetables, this tomato-based meat sauce is perfectly seasoned and a great option for a family dinner.
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Pasta night is always popular in our house. Quick and easy to prep and it always pleases the picky eaters! Rather than reach for a jarred sauce from the store, make up a batch of meat bolognese sauce from scratch in minutes with your Instant Pot.
Rich and flavorful, this quick-to-prep pasta sauce is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal that’s hearty and filling, and of course, delicious!
Be sure to try my Chicken Pesto Pasta and Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta too!
Why you will love this bolognese sauce recipe!
- Quick: This meat sauce is ready to serve in the same time it takes you to cook your pasta!
- Healthier: Store bought pasta sauces are convenient, but they tend to contain a lot of salt and sugar. Made with fresh veggies this is definitely a healthier option.
- Make ahead: This bolognese sauce has a pretty good shelf life and is easily reheated. It’s freezer-friendly too!
Ingredients for Pressure Cooker Bolognese sauce
- Beef: Use lean ground beef for this recipe that is lower in fat and high in protein.
- Vegetables: Red bell pepper, carrots, onion, and a few cloves garlic.
- Seasonings & fresh herbs: Kosher salt, black pepper, and Italian herbs. Chopped fresh basil for garnish.
- Tomato sauce: Use canned tomato sauce for a rich flavor. Use an organic one if you can with no other added ingredients. You could also use tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, and some beef broth instead.
How to make Instant Pot bolognese sauce
- Heat olive oil in the Instant Pot on the “Saute’ setting. Add the ground beef and brown for a couple of minutes while breaking it up with a spatula. Drain excess fat. The meat doesn’t have to be cooked through and it’s okay if there are red spots.
- Add chopped onion, carrots, red bell pepper, and saute for a couple of minutes until vegetables are tender. Add minced garlic, salt, black pepper, Italian herb seasoning, and tomato sauce. Stir everything until combined.
- Close the lid and turn the valve to ‘Sealing’. Pressure cook the bolognese sauce for 10 minutes. When finished cooking, quick-release pressure according to manufacturer’s directions.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Serve warm over spaghetti or pasta with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese.
Can you make this without beef?
Any ground meat would work well in this Instant Pot bolognese recipe. Bison, lamb, chicken, or turkey will all work well. To make this vegan, you can simply omit the meat and add in additional veggies. Alternatively, you can use a plant-based option like Beyond Meat.
How long does it keep?
To make this bolognese meat sauce ahead of time, follow the recipe, then let it cool fully. Transfer to an airtight container and it will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat leftovers on the stovetop to serve.
Can you freeze it?
Yes! This pressure cooker bolognese sauce freezes really well! Once cool, place in a freezer-safe container and it will keep well for up to 6 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Can you make it on the stovetop?
If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can still make this Instant pot bolognese recipe on the stovetop. Brown the beef and soften the vegetables as per the Instant Pot method. Add the rest of the ingredients and let simmer for 30 to 40 minutes to serve.
TIPS FROM NELI’S KITCHEN
Recipe Notes and Tips
- I prefer to dice the vegetables fairly small, but you can have them bigger if you prefer a chunkier sauce.
- You can add other veggies into this sauce if you have some to use up. Mushrooms and celery would be a great add in!
- You could also add a splash of red wine for an even more rich Italian flavor.
- Serve over freshly cooked pasta or zucchini noodles.
More Instant Pot Recipes
If you liked this Spaghetti Bolognese sauce in the Instant Pot, I hope you try some of my other favorite Instant Pot recipes:
Instant Pot Bolognese (Sauce)
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INGREDIENTS
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning
- 24 oz tomato sauce
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat olive oil in the Instant Pot on the “Saute’ setting. Add the ground beef and brown for a couple of minutes while breaking it up with a spatula. Drain excess fat. The meat doesn’t have to be cooked through and it’s okay if there are red spots.
- Add chopped onion, carrots, red bell pepper, and saute for a couple of minutes until vegetables are tender. Add minced garlic, salt, black pepper, Italian herb seasoning, and tomato sauce. Stir everything until combined.
- Close the lid and turn the valve to ‘Sealing’. Pressure cook the bolognese sauce for 10 minutes. When finished cooking, quick-release pressure according to manufacturer’s directions.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Serve over cooked spaghetti or pasta, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
TIPS & NOTES
- I prefer to dice the vegetables fairly small, but you can have them bigger if you prefer a chunkier sauce.
- You can add other veggies into this sauce if you have some to use up. Mushrooms and celery would be a great add-in!
- You could also add a splash of red wine for an even more rich Italian flavor.
- Serve over freshly cooked pasta or zucchini noodles.
NUTRITION
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