Instant Pot Bolognese sauce is rich, hearty and delicious, and ready in under an hour thanks to the Instant Pot. You will love this easy Bolognese sauce that is full of meat and vegetables served over tagliatelle or another favorite noodle for a hearty dish your family will love.

Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce

Bolognese sauce has always been one of my favorite sauces to serve over a nice bowl of noodles. It is hearty, rich in flavor, the meat is tender, and it is the ultimate comfort dish, but to make Bolognese sauce right you have to let it cook as the flavors combine. This takes almost 4 hours, until now! Thanks to your Instant Pot you can have a delicious pot of homemade Bolognese sauce in just under an hour. Meet your new favorite way to make your favorite sauce, Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce.

If you love making homemade sauces, be sure to try our homemade spaghetti sauce as well.

What is the difference between Bolognese sauce and spaghetti sauce?

Spaghetti sauce is usually a tomato-based sauce with the addition of ground beef or sausage if desired that is typically served over spaghetti noodles. Bolognese sauce is a thicker, heartier sauce that usually includes milk or heavy whipping cream that helps add another level of richness to the dish. Bolognese sauce may or may not call for tomatoes.

Why do you put milk or heavy whipping cream in Bolognese sauce?

The dairy addition adds a delicious richness to the dish. It also helps tenderize the meat as well.

How to make Bolognese Sauce in the Instant Pot

Set your Instant Pot to Sauté preset and add olive oil, onion, carrots, celery, and bacon bits. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes or until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent.

Add the ground beef and the spices: celery seeds, salt, pepper & onion powder.

Still on Sauté preset, cook the meat until it is no longer pink.

Once the beef is cook and the vegetables are well mixed throughout the cooked beef, add the chicken stock and mix.
To the mixture, add the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and tomato puree. Mix well until all ingredients are well blended.
Put 2 bay leaves in the sauce.

Put the Instant Pot to High-Pressure cooking for 20 minutes
*NOTE* Make sure the valve is close
Once the sauce has cooked for 20 minutes, quick release the pressure.
Add the cream and mix until all incorporated.

Serve over your favorite pasta.

Tips Tricks and FAQs

You can use any type of pasta you have on hand. Typically Bolognese sauce is served over Tagliatelle, but you can use Spaghetti, Rigatoni, or Pappardelle.
You can add shredded cheese as a topping. I like mozzarella, parmigiano or gouda.
You can use any combination of meat to make this dish.
You can substitute the heavy cream for milk if you prefer.

Storage

You will want to store your leftover homemade Bolognese sauce in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Can you freeze Bolognese Sauce?

Yes, you can freeze Bolognese sauce made in the Instant Pot! Let it completely cool and then place it in freezer-safe containers or freezer-safe plastic bags. This will store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How do you reheat your Bolognese Sauce?

To reheat your Bolognese sauce, you will want to warm it up in a pot over low heat. Cover it and let it heat for about 5 to 8 minutes. Once it is the desired temperature you prefer, add it to the top of your pasta.

What is the best pasta for Bolognese?

Typically Bolognese is served over tagliatelle, which is an egg-based flat noodle much like fettuccine.

Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil (or any vegetable oil or butter)
1 cup diced sweet onion (you can use red or yellow onions)
1 cup diced carrots (approximately 3 carrots)
1 cup diced celery
½ cup bacon bits (you could use bacon strips but be aware of the taste change as bacon may have more of a smoky flavor that will come more into the sauce)
1 ½ pound ground beef (I used ground chuck) (You can substitute with pork, turkey, veal or a mix of all to make 1 ½ pound)
½ teaspoon celery seeds
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 cup of chicken stock (low sodium or regular)
3 tablespoons tomato paste (I used the brand Cento)
1 can (28 oz.) diced tomatoes with green chilies original, no drained
*NOTE* This is optional. I wanted a hint of heat in my Bolognese. If you don’t want to, use regular diced tomatoes no green chilies
1 can (28 oz.) tomato puree (I used San Marzano puree tomatoes, but any brands will work)
2 bay leaves
½ cup heavy cream (we will use this once the sauce is cooked)

Instructions

Set your Instant Pot to Sauté preset and add olive oil, onion, carrots, celery, and bacon bits. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes or until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent.
Add the ground beef and the spices: celery seeds, salt, pepper & onion powder.
Still on Sauté preset, cook the meat until it is no longer pink.
Once the beef is cooked and the vegetables are well mixed throughout the cooked beef, add the chicken stock and mix.
To the mixture, add the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and tomato puree. Mix well until all ingredients are well blended.
Put 2 bay leaves in the sauce.
Put the Instant Pot to High-Pressure cooking for 20 minutes *NOTE* Make sure the valve is close
Once the sauce has cooked for 20 minutes, quick release the pressure.
Add the cream and mix until all incorporated.
Serve over your favorite pasta.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 549Total Fat: 36gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 130mgSodium: 872mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 4gSugar: 6gProtein: 39g

Melissa

I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!

Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce