![Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce [Pressure Cooker]](https://recipesbytuba.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/create-a-perfect-view-image-of-a-food-so-that-it-1.jpg)
This Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce is a game-changer for busy weeknights, delivering rich, savory flavors in under an hour. Imagine tender ground meat simmered with aromatic garlic, onions, and tomatoes, all melded into a velvety, hearty sauce. The pressure cooker locks in every drop of flavor, creating a sauce that clings perfectly to your favorite pasta.
With just 10 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking, you’ll have a dish that tastes like it simmered all day. The balance of sweet tomatoes, earthy herbs, and a hint of umami makes every bite irresistible. Plus, it’s packed with protein and fiber, so it’s as nourishing as it is delicious. Comfort food has never been this easy—or this good.
Ingredients for Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce
![Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce [Pressure Cooker] Ingredients](https://recipesbytuba.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/create-a-single-top-down-view-with-one-of-each-ing-1-2.jpg)
- 1 pound Italian turkey sausage (or your favorite sausage/ground beef)
- 3 Tablespoons minced onion flakes
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 6 ounces tomato paste (1 can)
- 1 cup water
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 Tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 Tablespoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon fennel seed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 16 ounces pasta, cooked (gluten-free pasta works too)
- Fresh grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Turn the Instant Pot to the sauté setting. Once hot, add the sausage and brown it, breaking it up as it cooks (use a chop-stir or spatula for even pieces).
- Add the onion flakes, minced garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, sugar, oregano, basil, fennel seed, salt, and pepper to the Instant Pot. Mix well with the browned sausage.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and move the valve to the “sealing” position. Press the “manual” button and set the timer for 20 minutes.
- The Instant Pot will take a few minutes to come to pressure, then the 20-minute countdown will begin.
- Once the cook time is complete, perform a quick release by moving the valve to the “vent” position. Wait until all pressure is released and the pin drops before removing the lid.
- Stir the sauce to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Serve the Bolognese sauce over cooked pasta and garnish with fresh grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Serving Suggestions to Elevate Your Bolognese
This Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce is incredibly versatile! Serve it over your favorite pasta, like spaghetti or fettuccine, or try it with zucchini noodles for a low-carb option. For a hearty twist, layer it in a lasagna or spoon it over creamy polenta. Don’t forget to top it with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh basil for a finishing touch!
Storage and Reheating Tips for Perfect Leftovers
Store any leftover Bolognese sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To freeze, let the sauce cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. When reheating, warm it on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if needed. If using the microwave, cover the sauce and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
Recipe Variations to Mix It Up
Feel free to customize this Bolognese to suit your taste! Swap the Italian turkey sausage for ground beef, pork, or plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian option. Add a splash of red wine for depth of flavor or toss in some diced carrots and celery for extra veggies. If you love spice, stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce before serving.
Time-Saving Tips for Busy Cooks
To save time, prep your ingredients ahead of time! Measure out the spices and chop any fresh ingredients the night before. If you’re short on time, skip the sauté step and simply add all the ingredients to the Instant Pot at once—it will still turn out delicious. For an even quicker meal, use pre-cooked pasta or serve the sauce with no-boil lasagna noodles.
Common Questions About Instant Pot Bolognese
Can I use fresh onions and garlic instead of flakes and minced? Absolutely! Use 1 small diced onion and 4 fresh garlic cloves for a fresher flavor. What if I don’t have fennel seeds? No worries—just omit them or substitute with a pinch of Italian seasoning. Can I double the recipe? Yes, but make sure your Instant Pot isn’t more than 2/3 full to avoid overflow during cooking.
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Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce [Pressure Cooker] Recipe
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian turkey sausage, or your favorite sausage/ground beef
- 3 Tablespoons minced onion flakes
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 6 ounces tomato paste, (1 can)
- 1 cup water
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 Tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 Tablespoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon fennel seed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 16 ounces pasta, cooked, (gluten-free pasta will work as well)
- fresh grated Parmesan cheese, (optional; for topping)
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to saute setting and add sausage when pot is hot. Brown sausage and break up as it cooks (I used a chop-stir to break up my sausage).
- Add onion flakes, minced garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste, water, sugar, oregano, basil, fennel seed, salt and pepper to Instant Pot and mix with turkey sausage.
- Place lid on Instant Pot, move valve to “sealing” and press the “manual” button. Set timer for 20 minutes and let it do it’s magic!
- It will take a few minutes to come to pressure, then it will start the countdown timer from 20 minutes.
- Once the 20 minutes of cook time are over, do a “quick release” by moving the valve on top to vent. Once all the pressure has released and the pin has dropped, remove the lid and stir the sauce.
- Serve over cooked pasta and garnish with Parmesan cheese.