Imagine a mouthwatering pasta dish that combines the rich, comforting flavors of a traditional Bolognese with the convenience of modern cooking technology. This Instant Pot Bolognese with Ground Turkey is about to revolutionize your weeknight dinner routine! Forget hours of slow simmering - in just 40 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-worthy sauce that's packed with flavor, nutrition, and pure comfort food magic. Whether you're a busy parent, a cooking enthusiast, or simply craving a delicious meal that doesn't break the bank, this recipe is your new secret weapon in the kitchen.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lb spaghetti
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by dicing the onion, mincing garlic, and finely chopping carrot and celery into uniform small pieces.
- Set Instant Pot to "Sauté" mode and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Allow it to heat for 1-2 minutes until shimmering.
- Add diced onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until vegetables become soft and slightly translucent.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
- Add ground turkey to the pot, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the meat is no longer pink and starts to brown.
- Pour in red wine (if using) and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes to reduce and concentrate flavors.
- Add crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set valve to "Sealing", and cook on Manual/Pressure Cook mode for 15 minutes at high pressure.
- Once cooking completes, allow natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then carefully do a quick release.
- While sauce is cooking, prepare spaghetti according to package instructions in a separate pot.
- Once sauce is ready, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot over cooked spaghetti.
- Optionally, garnish with fresh basil or grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Tips
- Prep is Key: Take time to dice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent flavor distribution.
- Sauté for Depth: Don't rush the sautéing process. Allowing vegetables to caramelize and ground turkey to brown creates a more complex flavor profile.
- Wine Optional, but Recommended: The red wine adds depth and complexity to the sauce. If avoiding alcohol, you can substitute with beef or chicken broth.
- Natural Pressure Release Matters: The 5-minute natural release helps the sauce settle and allows flavors to meld together perfectly.
- Customize Your Protein: While this recipe uses ground turkey, you can easily substitute with ground beef, chicken, or a plant-based alternative.
- Make it Ahead: This Bolognese freezes beautifully. Make a double batch and store portions for quick future meals.
- Garnish Generously: Fresh basil, grated Parmesan, or a drizzle of good olive oil can elevate the dish from good to extraordinary.
- Pasta Pairing: While spaghetti is classic, this sauce works wonderfully with pappardelle, rigatoni, or even as a base for lasagna.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 306kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 40mg
