Who does not love a good bolognese in the winter time? Its so great to use with your favorite pasta dish, when making a lasagna and even as an appetizer warmed in a skillet with burrata in the center with some toasted bread. Here is a Bella recipe adapted to the instant pot, for all you busy cooks out there. I like to use a parmesan rind in mine for more depth of flavor. Never throw those out. Place them in a baggie and freeze them for a later use. They are great for soups and sauces.
INSTANT POT BELLA’S BOLOGNESE SAUCE
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 carrot, finely, diced
1 medium onion, diced
1 rib celery, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 pounds Spicy Italian Sausage (out of casings)
1- 14.5 ounce can Muir Glen tomato sauce
1 – 28 ounce can Muir Glen Fire Roasted crushed tomatoes
1 cup dry red wine
1 cup beef broth
1 parmesan rind (great flavor)
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Parmigiano-Reggiano, for grating
Your favorite Pasta for serving
Instructions
In a 6-qt Instant Pot to the high saute setting. Add the olive oil, next add onion, carrot, garlic and celery, and cook, stirring often, until onions have become translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the spicy Italian Sausage, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and cook until browned, about 5-10 minutes, making sure to crumble the sausage as it cooks; drain excess fat.
Stir in tomato sauce, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, cook until fragrant, about 1 – 2 minutes.
Stir in wine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot, and cook until reduced, about 2 minutes.
Stir in crushed tomatoes, parmesan rind and beef stock. Select manual setting; adjust pressure to high, and set time for 20 minutes. When finished cooking, quick-release pressure according to manufacturer’s directions.
Select sauté setting; simmer, uncovered, stirring often, until thickened to desired consistency, about 5-10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings, salt, pepper, crushed red pepper.
Garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, and a nice swirl of EVOO
Serve with your favorite pasta.