When looking for an Instant Pot ragù recipe, you usually want one thing: a good sauce that tastes homemade but without spending hours at the stove. This is the ragù I make when I want to play it safe, with simple ingredients and a clear process, suitable even for those new to using the Instant Pot.
Pressure cooking allows for a well-blended ragù, with tender meat and flavorful sauce, reducing time and without needing to constantly check the pot. It’s a perfect recipe for everyday lunch, to dress pasta, prepare lasagna, or make in advance and keep ready in the freezer.
In this article, you’ll find all the steps explained well, with practical tips to avoid mistakes and adapt the ragù to your tastes, so it turns out well even the first time.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Rest time: 10 Minutes
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Instant pot
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
- 9 oz ground pork
- 9 oz ground beef
- 1 carrot
- 1 stalk celery
- 1 onion
- 3 tbsps extra-virgin olive oil
- 3/4 wine (red or white)
- 3/4 water (or light broth)
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
- 1 leaf bay leaf (optional)
Tools
- 1 Instant pot
- 1 Wooden spoon
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting board
Instant Pot Procedure
Set SAUTÉ (high level). Pour the oil into the pot and add finely chopped carrot, celery, and onion. Stir and let it cook for a few minutes, until the vegetables become soft and start to smell fragrant.
I used frozen pre-chopped vegetable cubes for the soffritto.
Add the ground meat and crumble it with a spoon or your hands. At first, it will release some liquid: this is normal. Continue to stir until the meat changes color and the bottom of the pot is dry again. Lightly salt.
Pour the wine and let the alcohol evaporate completely for 2–3 minutes. Stir and scrape the bottom to recover all the flavor.
If not using wine, skip this step and add the tomato.
Add the tomato puree, paste (if using), pepper, and bay leaf. Now pour water or broth: the right amount is not fixed, it depends on how thick the puree is.
It’s usually good practice to fill the puree container half to three-quarters with water, shake it to recover all the remaining sauce, and pour it into the pot.
Stir carefully and scrape the bottom of the pot well with the wooden or silicone spoon: this step is essential to avoid the BURN message.
The sauce should be smooth, not too thick.
Close the lid and set Pressure Cook – high level – 20 minutes. At the end, allow natural release for 10 minutes, then manually release the steam.
Open the lid, remove the bay leaf, and taste. If the ragù seems too liquid, activate SAUTÉ again and let it thicken for 3–5 minutes, stirring.
If you plan to add the pasta directly to the ragù, it’s better to leave it slightly more liquid: in the last minutes of cooking, the pasta will absorb part of the sauce and bind perfectly, without drying out. (Pasta cooking must be done separately)
Otherwise, if the sauce is already the consistency you desire, you can turn it off immediately.
If you have Instant Pot Pro, you can complete the pasta cooking by activating SAUTÉ for the last few minutes. Alternatively, you can move the Instant Pot Pro pot to a gas or induction stove and finish cooking there.
Useful tips
Ragù improves with resting: made in advance, it’s even better.
If you want a rounder taste, you can add a dash of milk at the end of cooking.
Variations
Without soffritto: use finely chopped vegetables and add them directly with the meat.
Lighter: choose lean meat and slightly reduce the oil.
For freezing: let cool completely, portion, and freeze for up to 2–3 months.
FAQ – Ragù with Instant Pot
Can I use frozen meat?
It’s better to thaw it in the fridge before use for even browning.
Can I double the quantities?
Yes, keeping the cooking times the same, as long as it doesn’t exceed the pot’s maximum level.
Is it also suitable for lasagna?
Absolutely yes: it’s a well-structured and flavorful ragù.
This Instant Pot ragù is the ideal solution for bringing a classic of Italian cuisine to the table with fewer worries and great results.
