Traditionally a Bolognese Sauce needs to be slow simmered on top of the stove for several hours in order for the flavors to deepen, and the sauce to thicken to a great consistency. This simple recipe reduces that time by more than half, without reducing any of the delicious flavors. I am all for that!
Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 TBS olive oil
- 1 pound extra lean ground beef
- 1/2 pound spicy Italian sausage
- 4 ounces pancetta, diced
- 1 medium brown onion, peeled and minced
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and minced
- 1 small green pepper, trimmed and finely chopped
- 1 stalk celery, peeled and minced
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 1/2 cup (120ml) dry red wine
- 1 (28oz) tin of chopped tomatoes in tomato juice, undrained (2 (420g))
- 3 TBS tomato paste (tomato puree)
- 2/3 cup (160ml) beef stock
- 1 TBS Balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- fine sea salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 TBS dry parsley flakes
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp oregano
- crushed red pepper flakes to taste
- 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream
- Cooked pasta to serve
- Parmesan cheese to sprinkle (I like to grate my own)
Instructions
- Using the sauté setting on your instant pot, add the olive oil and heat. Crumble in the ground beef, sausage and pancetta. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Drain off most of the fat, if any.
- Add the carrot, celery, onion and green pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until they begin to soften. Stir in the garlic and cook for a further 30 seconds.
- Add the tomatoes, beef stock, tomato paste, red wine, vinegar, sugar and all of the seasonings and herbs. Stir everything together well.
- Cancel the sauté setting. Place lid on top and secure. Press the pressure cook setting and cook for 20 minutes.
- Release pressure according to your Instant Pot manual.
- Remove lid and set aside. Taste and adjust seasoning as required with some salt and black pepper. Stir in the cream. Reheat gently on the sauté setting until well heated through, 5 to 10 minutes.
- Serve hot and ladled over your favorite pasta cooked to al dente along with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese for sprinkling over top.
Notes:
To Cook on top of the stove: Brown the meats in a large heavy bottomed saucepan. Add the vegetables and saute until they begin to soften. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to the boil, then reduce to a slow simmer. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally , for about 2 hours, until the sauce is nicely thickened. If you think it is getting too thick, you can add a bit of stock or water.
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You want to use butter that is soft, but still cool if that makes sense. We pop it into the microwave for about 3 to 4 seconds. This yields a butter that is spreadable, but still holds its shape.
This gets whipped together with two kinds of sugar. Granulated white and soft light brown. I have come to recognise that granulated white sugar here in the UK is the same as castor sugar in the UK. It has much finer granules than the granulated sugar you will see in the UK.
I have to say that I cannot recommend this Oatmeal Cookie highly enough. They are crisp and moreish. Buttery. Oaty. The best Oatmeal Cookie.
My search is over. These truly are the perfect oatmeal cookie!
Thin & Crispy Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup (140g) plain/all purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 14 TBS butter, softened but still cold (200g/7 ounces)
- 1 cup (195g) granulated sugar (In the UK caster sugar)
- 1/4 cup (50g) soft light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large free range egg
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups (200g) old fashioned rolled oats (not quick oats)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Have ready several large baking sheets that you have lined with baking parchment.
- Beat the granulated sugar, brown sugar and butter together at low speed, just until combined. Increase the speed to medium and beat until light in colour and fluffy. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla.
- Sift together the flour, soda, salt and baking powder. Stir into the creamed mixture just to incorporate and then stir in the oats until thoroughly blended.
- Using a cookie scoop (or by 2 TBS measures), drop the dough (roll into balls) onto the baking sheet leaving about 3 inches in between each. Lightly press down with your fingrs until the balls are 3/4 inch thick.
- Bake, one sheet at a time, until goldn brown with crisp edges. This will tak abou 13 o 16 minutes depending on your oven. (mine took 16)
- Leave on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before scooping off onto a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
- Store in an airtight container.
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This content (written and photography) is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at: mariealicejoan at aol dot com Thanks so much for visiting. Do come again!
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Pan Fried Potato Gnocchi & Egg
Ingredients
- a generous pound (500g) of refrigerated potato Gnocchi
- 2 TBS good quality olive oil
- 1 TBS butter
- 2 fat cloves of garlic, peeled and bruised and left whole
- 3 springs of fresh sage
- 2 large free range eggs, at room temperature preferably
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Finely grated Parmesan Cheese (grate it yourself, preferably)
Instructions
- Put a pot of lightly salted water on to boil. Place the olive oil and butter in a large nonstick skillet along with the garlic and sage. Heat gently while you cook the gnocchi. (Do not allow it to brown.)
- Cook the Gnocchi according to the package directions. Once they are done and float to the surface, scoop out with a slotted spoon and drop into the infused and heated oil/butter mixture.
- Turn the heat up and cook, stirring occasionally until they begin to turn golden brown and the sage leaves crisp up. If the garlic looks like it is going to burn, lift it out and place on top of some of the gnocchi. Make two hollows in the bed of gnocchi and drop an egg into each.
- Cover with a lid and cook over medium low heat, just until the whites are set. Season to taste with some sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Serve at once, divided in half and placed onto heated plates. Sprinkle some cheese on each serving. The gnocchi is delicious dipped into the egg yolks.
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Peach & Vanilla Scones
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups (500g) all purpose/plain flour (3 1/2 cups)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup (100g) caster sugar
- 1/2 cup (125g) butter, cubed
- 3 small fresh peaches, chopped coarsely
- 1 tsp poppyseeds
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 medium free range egg, beaten
- 7 TBS (100ml) whole milk (7 TBS)
- Cream to brush on the tops
- demerara sugar to sprinkle on the tops
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 190*C/375*F/ gas mark 5. Line a baking tray with baking parchment. Set aside.
- Sift the flour into a bowl along with the sugar and baking powder.
- Drop in the butter and rub it in with your fingertips, using a snapping motion, until the mixture resembles bread crumbs. Stir in the chopped peaches and the poppyseeds.
- Whisk together the vanilla, egg and milk. Add to the dry mixture to make a soft dough.
- Tip out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently. Pat out about 1 1/2 inch thick.
- Stamp out into rounds with a very sharp 3 inch round cutter. Place onto the baking sheet.
- Push any trimmings together and re-pat out to stamp out more rounds if necessary and also place on the baking sheet.
- Brush tops lightly with cream and sprinkle with demerara sugar.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve slightly warm with clotted or whipped cream and apricot jam. Fabulous!
Did you make this recipe?
This content (written and photography) is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at: mariealicejoan at aol dot com Thanks so much for visiting. Do come again!











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