This quick and easy Instant Pot bolognese recipe is flavorful and the perfect accompaniment to any meal. I love eating it with eggs, on gluten free pasta or on a bed of zucchini noodles. The recipe is gluten free, dairy free, paleo, and Whole30.
What is Spaghetti Bolognese?
Spaghetti bolognese is known in Italian as "ragù alla bolognese."
It is customarily used to dress tagliatelle al ragù and to prepare lasagne alla bolognese.
It translates to "meat-based sauce" and is often used in American cooking coupled with pasta dishes.
Traditionally, preparation for bolognese typically includes several techniques like sweating, sautéing, and braising.
Thanks to the Instant Pot, we can drastically cut the amount of time and effort we have to put forth in order to come out with a fantastic bolognese sauce.
Best ingredients for bolognese sauce
This bolognese recipe is a rendition of one of the most popular recipes on my blog for Whole30 Bolognese.
I decided to change a few of the ingredients up and make it a bit thinner and less chunky since it is not traditionally being served with zucchini noodles (which excrete a lot of moisture.)
I like to use a combination of tomato paste and crushed tomatoes in this recipe.
Tomato paste is made from long-cooked tomatoes, and it is thick in texture and very concentrated in flavor.
Crushed tomatoes are simply a mixture of diced tomatoes and tomato puree/paste with some salt usually. I also love using crushed tomatoes as the base of all of my homemade red pasta sauces! 🙂
You can use pancetta instead of bacon if you'd like or use a ground pork instead of beef. I prefer to use an 85/15 ground beef so my sauce doesn't turn out dry or lacking in the flavor department.
Can you overcook Bolognese?
You cannot really overcook a Bolognese sauce. In my opinion, the longer it sits, the better it tastes.
However, you want to be sure you have enough liquid in your pot/vessel.
Why does spaghetti sauce burn in Instant Pot?
It can burn (particularly in the Instant Pot) if there isn't enough liquid in there with the rest of the ingredients.
This recipe is balanced in that regard as there is plenty of broth, crushed tomatoes, and non-dairy milk.
You should not come across any issues with burning. However, if your Instant Pot starts reading the "burn" message, here are steps you can take:
- Immediately press "Keep Warm/Cancel."
- Carefully move the valve from "Sealing" to "Venting" and release all of the pressure.
- Remove the lid and be sure there isn't anything stuck to the bottom of the vessel. If there is, scrape it well and add another 1/2 cup broth.
- Let it cool down and proceed with cooking.
How to make Instant Pot Bolognese
Heat up Instant Pot over the hottest “Sauté” setting for 2 minutes. Add oil and let that heat through for another minute. Stir in onions, carrots, and celery, and cook until softened and very lightly browned, about 8-10 minutes.
Add ground beef and bacon with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Sauté, breaking up meats with a meat mincer or wooden spoon, until browned and most of the juices have evaporated. This will take about 5 minutes.
Add garlic and tomato paste to the Instant Pot, and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. Deglaze the insert with broth, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, until most of the broth has evaporated.
Stir in crushed tomatoes, remaining broth, half of the milk, and half of the parsley. Bring to a simmer. Place lid on Instant Pot, seal, and set the unit to “Manual” and “High Pressure” for 10 minutes.
Quick release pressure, and very carefully lift the lid when the float drops. Switch the Instant Pot to the lowest heat sauté setting and bring to a low simmer. Add the remaining milk and simmer uncovered, for about 5-7 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce is thickened to your desired consistency. Stir in the remaining chopped parsley. Season to taste with more salt and pepper.
Serve over cooked pasta with plenty of freshly-grated cheese and more fresh parsley, if desired.
Freezing and making ahead
Feel free to make this ahead of time and stick it in the freezer. In an airtight container, it should last up to 3-4 months in the freezer.
FAQ
Traditionally, it is served with a wide noodle like Tagliatelle or Pappardelle. I used my favorite gluten free rice fusilli, and it was still absolutely fabulous!
It will last up for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
Absolutely. Just be sure you are using a dairy product with plenty of fat like heavy cream.
More Instant Pot recipes you’ll love:
Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
Quick and Easy Instant Pot Bolognese
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 4 carrots diced
- 3 celery ribs diced
- 2 pounds grass-fed ground beef see notes
- 4-5 ounces bacon diced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 garlic cloves minced
- 5 ounces tomato paste
- 1 3/4 cup bone broth or low sodium chicken broth split in two
- 24 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup canned coconut milk split in two, see notes
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped, split in two
- kosher salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat up Instant Pot over the hottest “Sauté” setting for 2 minutes. Add oil and let that heat through for another minute. Add onions, carrots, and celery, and cook until softened and very lightly browned, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add ground beef and bacon with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Sauté, breaking up meats with a meat mincer or wooden spoon, until browned and most of the juices have evaporated. This will take about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and tomato paste to the Instant Pot, and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. Deglaze the insert with broth, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, until most of the broth has evaporated.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, remaining broth, half of the milk, and half of the parsley. Bring to a simmer. Place lid on Instant Pot, seal, and set the unit to “Manual” and “High Pressure” for 10 minutes.
- Quick release pressure, and very carefully lift the lid when the float drops. Switch the Instant Pot to the lowest heat sauté setting and bring to a low simmer. Add the remaining milk and simmer uncovered, for about 5-7 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce is thickened to your desired consistency. Stir in the remaining chopped parsley. Season to taste with more salt and pepper.
- Serve over cooked pasta with plenty of freshly-grated cheese and more fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
- Feel free to use pancetta in place of bacon.
- You can alternatively use ground pork or chicken, but I highly recommend doing an 85/15 ground beef if you can as that will have the most flavor/moisture.
- Heavy cream can be used in place of canned coconut milk.
Nutrition
Hi! I’m Monica – recipe developer, matcha addict and lover of all things chocolate, kombucha and any & all puns. I am also the blogger, real food lover, & bonafide hustler behind the blog ‘The Movement Menu.’ I’m so excited to welcome you to my happy space, where my appreciation of creative recipes and healthy & mindful eats come together to inspire you to live a healthy, balanced life.
Can I use whole lactose free milk?
Sure!!!