• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
a million graces
  • About
  • uncluttered living
    • home
      • storage
      • clothing
      • books
      • food
        • recipes
        • organising
        • kitchen appliances
        • planning
    • exercise
      • walking
      • running
      • swimming
      • cycling
      • triathlons
  • uncharted travel
    • packing
    • places
    • people

instant pot spaghetti bolognese

03/10/2022 by Bridget

Instant pot spaghetti bolognese has changed our family tradition. We cook spaghetti bolognese every, or most Monday evenings. For the rest of the week, anything goes.

Bolognese in a pot

We still enjoy this as empty nesters, but if our adult kids are around on a Monday evening – this is what they love. So this is a recipe, but not so much – I am sure you have your favorite spaghetti bolognese recipe, right? This is more about doing it all in one pot – an INSTANT POT. Enjoy.

instant pot

This instant pot variation on how I cook spaghetti bolognese has changed a few things for me.

saute function on an instant pot

It is quicker.

It uses up fewer pots and pans. LOVE THIS, less to wash up.

I start up by using the saute function, fry everything up and then deglaze the pot. It is super important to deglaze the pot otherwise you will get a burn warning.

All the liquid is then added in and the pasta is piled on top. This is the wonder.

instant pot spaghetti Bolognese 6 minute cook

spaghetti bolognese wonder

If you look on the internet or in any recipe book you will find a variation of this meal. In Italy, it even looks so different in different regions.

This is why it is a family favorite for many families.

Some enjoy it drier, my hubby for instance, and some like the sauce – me.

pot of fried onions

My husband would prefer it if I didn’t put in any celery. But, I add in the celery. I cut it up super fine and we so enjoy the flavor it adds to the dish, a nuttiness somehow.

Some people put in milk or cream – I have never done that! How about you?

Mixing the bolognese sauce through the pasta is a new way for me. We used to have a huge pile of pasta and then a much smaller blob of sauce on top. And then, of course, the parmesan cheese.

I much prefer mixing it through and letting the pasta absorb all the sauce.

instant pot spaghetti Bolognese flavors

spaghetti bolognese essentials

The essentials that I love to use when making this are the following:

  • onion
  • celery
  • carrots
  • tomato paste
  • tomato sauce
  • home made bone broth
  • herbs
  • salt and pepper
  • ground beef
  • parmesan cheese
minced beef for spaghetti bolognese

OPTIONAL spaghetti bolognese essentials

  • wine for deglazing
  • bacon bits for more flavor
  • a mix of ground pork and beef, personal choice
  • spices to add in a bit of heat
  • other cheese, cheddar if that’s all you have got
  • bay leaves

putting the instant pot spaghetti bolognese together

instant pot spaghetti bolognese and pasta
  1. Get all the ingredients out.
  2. Chop up the onions, and celery, and fry together until soft and translucent.
  3. Add in the grated carrots. Continue until the carrots have softened a bit too.
  4. IMPORTANT – add in the herbs. I love doing this here because then the herbs come alive. Their flavors, aromas, and deliciousness are released at this stage.
  5. Keep stirring and do not let it catch/burn at the bottom of the pot.
  6. TIP – if this combination starts to catch, throw in a splash of water or switch off the stove or instant pot and put on the lid. I find that both the water being added in and the steam that develops with the lid on adds in enough liquid to make the scrapings at the bottom of the pot easier to loosen up.
  7. Add in the ground beef or ground beef/pork mix. Keep stirring and brown the meat thoroughly and break up any of the clumps. I like to brown it off until all the liquid has evaporated.
  8. Add in the bone broth and tinned tomatoes and tomato paste.
  9. TAKE NOTE. The bolognese sauce must be a bit liquidy for the INSTANT POT. The pasta needs some moisture to absorb and to be delicious.
  10. PROCEED WITH WONDER. Add in the dried, uncooked pasta. If you are using long pasta – break it in half. The smaller pasta works too.
  11. LAYER CAREFULLY. Put the dried pasta over the top of the bolognese sauce and push it under slightly. NOT ALL of the pieces need to be submerged.
  12. DO NOT stir the pasta through.
  13. Place the INSTANT POT lid on.
  14. Make sure it is sealed.
  15. Select pressure cooking setting.
  16. Set for 6 min.
  17. Allow it to self-release for 10 minutes.
  18. Open up and enjoy.
  19. Don’t forget the parmesan cheese.
saucy instant pot spaghetti bolognese

instant pot spaghetti bolognese AND OTHER pasta dishes

I have been experimenting with other pasta dishes in the INSTANT POT and they are working out just perfectly.

The basics of the INSTANT POT must be remembered.

  • after the saute, deglaze the pot – always
  • add about 1/2 to a full cup extra of liquid to accommodate the cooking of the pasta
  • cook on high pressure for 6 minutes
  • allow the INSTANT POT to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes, then release the rest of the pressure manually
  • then it is ready
  • no extra dishes
deglazing in the instant pot

the benefits of using the INSTANT POT

I am no longer scared or ignorant of using pressure cooking. Using the INSTANT POT has helped me prepare some of our favorite meals in a far quicker time.

I’ve been needing some time saving recently and I am sure so do you.

The flavors are all locked into one pot.

The inner pot is stainless steel and I LOVE cooking with stainless steel. I do not love Teflon, just don’t.

adding pasta to instant pot spaghetti Bolognese

Fewer dishes to wash.

The inner pot is beautiful and can be put on the table to serve from.

If you need to, and I haven’t – you can put the inner pot straight onto your stovetop and cook there. It has a very thick base that heats up well and evenly.

Filed Under: recipes Tagged With: appliances, easy, health

Previous Post: « sprint triathlon training
Next Post: sprint triathlon for everyone »

Primary Sidebar

Hi there!

me at amilliongraces

Hi, my name is Bridget and I love learning new things.  I’ve lived on three different continents and now currently live in Europe.  I ran my first triathlon in my 50s.  I was never able to find a blog by someone of my age who had done that, so I decided to write one!  If you want to get to know me more and to explore fitness, health and fun every week, click here.

Let’s connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Recent Posts

  • can you take or bring pens & pencils on a plane? 13/03/2023
  • can you take tea bags (or loose leaves) onto a plane with you? 06/03/2023
  • How to run 5k without stopping: run with me 13/02/2023
  • minimalist meal planning: simply delicious & quick 06/02/2023
  • great bedding storage ideas: simple & smart 30/01/2023

Archives

Categories

Footer

BORING BUT IMPORTANT

  • About
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 a million graces on the Foodie Pro Theme

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
8 shares
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Print