This delicious Instant Pot Bolognese recipe is a simple and easy dinner the whole family will love. Made in the Instant Pot, this delicious bolognese recipe using ground pork is a game changer that can be made in less than 30 minutes!
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If you love cooking but are short on time this is the best recipe for you! It only takes 30 minutes to make this delicious Pork Bolognese Sauce. The best part about it is that it's made entirely in your Instant Pot, which means no extra pots or pans to clean up.
Be sure to serve this tasty Spaghetti Bolognese recipe with Instant Pot Monkey Bread and a tasty Chopped Salad.
Why This Recipe Works
- Efficient and Easy: This recipe simplifies traditional Spaghetti Bolognese, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Flavorful and Hearty: The pressure cooker intensifies the flavors, creating a rich, satisfying dish.
- Minimal Clean-Up: Preparing both pasta and sauce in one pot makes cleaning a breeze.
📋 Ingredients
- Ground Meat: Provides the hearty, protein-packed base of the Bolognese sauce.
- Olive Oil: Used to sauté the vegetables and brown the meat, adding richness and depth of flavor.
- Onion and Carrot: Add sweetness and texture to the sauce.
- Minced Garlic: Adds a punch of aromatic flavor to deepen the taste of the sauce.
- White Wine Vinegar: Deglazes the pot and adds a tangy brightness that balances the rich flavors.
- Tomato Paste and Crushed Tomatoes: Provide the tangy, vibrant tomato base of the sauce.
- Italian Seasoning: Contributes classic Italian flavor to the dish.
- Salt and Pepper: Enhance the natural flavors of the other ingredients.
- Heavy Cream: Adds a touch of richness and creaminess to the sauce, mellowing the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Spaghetti: The perfect vehicle for the Bolognese sauce, its long strands hold onto the sauce well.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Meat Variations: Experiment with a blend of ground beef and pork for richer flavor, or try ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
- Tomato Base Enhancements: Boost the sauce by adding a splash of red wine, increasing the tomato paste, or using fire-roasted tomatoes to introduce a subtle smoky note.
- Herb & Spice Upgrades: Incorporate a mix of Italian herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme, and consider a pinch of nutmeg or red pepper flakes for an extra layer of warmth.
- Dairy & Broth Options: Stir in a bit of milk or heavy cream at the end to mellow the acidity and add creaminess, or use beef broth to enhance the overall richness of the sauce.
🔪How to Make Spaghetti Bolognese in the Instant Pot?
Step One: Set the instant pot to sauté. Add the oil. Once oil is hot add the ground pork. Brown the meat. Add the onion, carrots, garlic and continue to sauté for 5 minutes
Step Two: Add the white wine vinegar to deglaze the pot and then add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste and stir. Add the pasta and close the lid and seal the pressure valve.
Step Three: Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Manually release pressure and make sure pasta is cooked al dente.
Step Four: Stir in the cream and let sit for 3 minutes. Your spaghetti bolognese is now ready to serve. Garnish with herbs and cheese.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Sauté the Aromatic Base: Start by setting your Instant Pot to sauté mode and cook a finely chopped mirepoix of onions, carrots, celery, and garlic until softened. This foundation builds the rich, layered flavors essential for a classic bolognese.
- Brown the Meat: Use a mix of ground beef and pork for depth. Sear the meat until well-browned—this step develops robust caramelized notes. Don’t forget to deglaze the pot with a splash of red wine, lifting those flavorful bits stuck to the bottom.
- Layer in Tomato and Herbs: Stir in tomato paste and crushed tomatoes along with Italian herbs like oregano and bay leaves. This combination not only intensifies the sauce but also balances its acidity with savory notes.
- Pressure Cook to Meld Flavors: Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for about 15 minutes. A natural release allows the flavors to harmonize while keeping the meat tender and the sauce rich.
- Finish with a Touch of Cream and Fresh Herbs: For a silky finish, stir in a splash of milk or cream after pressure cooking. Top with chopped fresh basil or parsley just before serving to brighten the dish, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
💭 FAQs
Bolognese is traditionally made with ground beef but is also delicious with any type of ground meat. This recipe calls for ground pork and tastes super delicious. You can however switch meats if you have ground beef in stock instead.
Bolognese sauce is a rich meat-based pasta sauce that originated in Italy. It consists of minced meat (often beef or pork) cooked in a thick tomato sauce and it often includes wine, milk, cream, and vegetables.
Bolognese sauce usually includes milk or cream because the fat in these ingredients helps round out the flavors of meats. Milk is also used to help thicken the sauce and it gives a delicious in depth flavor.
Yes, you can certainly add carrots and celery to your Bolognese sauce. These vegetables can enhance the flavor and add a delightful texture to the sauce.
Finely chop or dice the carrots and celery, and sauté them along with the other aromatics like onions and garlic at the beginning of the cooking process.
Meat sauce is a simpler and quicker preparation, often consisting of ground meat, tomatoes, onions, and basic seasonings.
On the other hand, Bolognese sauce, originating from Italy, is a more complex dish that takes longer to cook. It combines a mix of ground meats and vegetables like carrots and celery and may include milk or cream for richness, resulting in a thicker and more nuanced texture and flavour profile.
To store spaghetti bolognese, cool it to room temperature, place it in an airtight container, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze the bolognese in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months.
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Bolognese:
- Classic Pasta Bowl: Serve your rich Bolognese sauce over freshly cooked pappardelle, tagliatelle, or spaghetti. Top with freshly grated Parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil, and a few torn basil leaves for a timeless Italian dish.
- Creamy Polenta: Spoon the hearty Bolognese over a bed of creamy, soft polenta. This combination not only offers a comforting texture contrast but also lets the sauce soak into the polenta for extra flavor.
- Garlic Bread Side: Pair the Bolognese with slices of warm, crusty garlic bread. The crunchy, buttery bread is perfect for mopping up every last bit of the savory sauce.
- Layered Lasagna: Use the Bolognese as a filling for a homemade lasagna. Layer it between sheets of pasta along with béchamel or ricotta, then bake until bubbly and golden for a delicious twist on a classic dish.
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Instant Pot Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. of ground pork
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- ½ onion diced
- 1 carrot diced
- 2 tablespoons of minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
- 28 oz of crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ½ teaspoon of pepper
- ⅓ heavy cream
- 16 oz of spaghetti
Instructions
- 1. Set the instant pot to sauté. Add the oil. Once oil is hot add the ground pork. Brown the meat.
- 2. Add the onion, carrots, garlic and continue to sauté for 5 minutes
- 3. Add the white wine vinegar to deglaze the pot and then add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste and stir.
- 4. Add the pasta and close the lid and seal the pressure valve
- 5. Cook on high for 8 minutes
- 6. Manually release pressure and make sure pasta is cooked al dente.
- 7. Stir in the cream and let sit for 3 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
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