Introduction
This delightful recipe combines a medley of fresh vegetables, savory meats, and aromatic spices to create a rich and flavorful sauce that can be enjoyed over pasta, polenta, or even as a comforting filling for dishes like lasagna. Using an Instant Pot makes this dish quick and easy, allowing you to enjoy a hearty meal with minimal effort.
Detailed Ingredients with measures
1½ tablespoons unsalted butter
1 sweet onion, diced
1 carrot, diced
1 celery rib, diced
1 pound lean ground beef
½ pound ground pork
4 ounces pancetta, diced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
¼ cup tomato paste
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¾ cup dry red wine
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
½ cup beef stock
¼ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Prep Time
Prep time for this recipe is approximately 10-15 minutes, allowing you to dice the vegetables and measure out your ingredients.
Cook Time, Total Time, Yield
Cook time is about 30 minutes, with a total time of around 45 minutes (including prep time). This recipe yields approximately 4-6 servings.
Enjoy the process and the delightful dish that awaits!
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
Set a 6-quart Instant Pot to the high sauté setting. Melt the unsalted butter, then add the diced sweet onion, carrot, and celery. Cook, stirring often, until the onions become translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 2: Brown the Meats
Add the lean ground beef, ground pork, diced pancetta, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper to the pot. Cook until the meats are browned, about 5-10 minutes, making sure to crumble them as they cook. Drain any excess fat.
Step 3: Add Aromatics
Stir in the tomato paste, minced garlic, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, ground nutmeg, and ground cinnamon. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Step 4: Incorporate Red Wine
Pour in the dry red wine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Cook until the wine is reduced, about 2 minutes.
Step 5: Cook the Sauce
Add the crushed tomatoes and beef stock. Select the manual setting, adjust the pressure to high, and set the time for 20 minutes. When finished cooking, perform a quick-release of the pressure according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Step 6: Thicken the Sauce
Select the low sauté setting and simmer the sauce, uncovered, stirring often, until it thickens to your desired consistency, about 5-10 minutes.
Step 7: Final Touches
Stir in the heavy cream and chopped fresh parsley. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Step 8: Serve
Serve immediately.
Notes
Ingredient Freshness
Using fresh vegetables and herbs will greatly enhance the flavor of the dish.
Adjusting Spice Levels
Feel free to adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to suit your spice preference.
Leftovers Storage
This sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for longer storage.
Serving Suggestions
This sauce pairs well with pasta, polenta, or as a base for a hearty lasagna.
Cook techniques
Sautéing
Sautéing is a cooking technique that involves cooking food quickly in a small amount of fat over relatively high heat. In this recipe, onions, carrots, and celery are sautéed in butter until the onions are translucent. This process enhances the flavor and aroma of the vegetables.
Browning
Browning meat involves cooking it at high heat to create a flavorful crust on the surface. The ground beef, ground pork, and pancetta are browned together, which adds depth of flavor to the dish.
Deglazing
Deglazing is the process of adding liquid to a hot pan to loosen and dissolve browned bits of food stuck to the bottom. In this recipe, dry red wine is used for deglazing, which adds richness to the sauce.
Pressure Cooking
Pressure cooking involves cooking food quickly under high pressure. In this recipe, the meat sauce is cooked in an Instant Pot for 20 minutes, which helps to develop flavors and tenderize the ingredients.
Simmering
Simmering is a gentle cooking method where food is cooked in liquid at a temperature just below boiling. After pressure cooking, the sauce is simmered on low to thicken and concentrate the flavors.
Finishing
Finishing refers to the final steps of a dish where ingredients are added to complete the preparation. In this recipe, heavy cream and fresh parsley are stirred in at the end to enrich the flavor and add freshness.
FAQ
Can I use different types of meat?
Yes, you can substitute the ground beef, ground pork, and pancetta with other meats such as turkey, chicken, or sausage based on your preference.
What can I use instead of red wine?
You can substitute red wine with additional beef stock or a mixture of grape juice and vinegar for a non-alcoholic option.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, replace the meats with a plant-based ground meat alternative and use vegetable stock instead of beef stock.
What can I serve with this meat sauce?
This meat sauce pairs well with pasta, rice, or polenta. You can also serve it with crusty bread for dipping.
How can I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze the sauce for longer storage.
Conclusion
This rich and savory meat sauce showcases a perfect blend of flavors, enhanced by the use of ground beef, pork, and pancetta. The addition of red wine, fresh herbs, and a touch of cream elevates the dish, making it a delightful option for any pasta night. Enjoy it with your favorite pasta or use it as a base for various dishes.
More recipes suggestions and combination
Spaghetti Bolognese
Serve this meat sauce over al dente spaghetti for a classic Italian dish that is sure to please everyone at the table.
Lasagna
Layer the meat sauce between sheets of lasagna noodles along with ricotta and mozzarella cheese for a hearty and comforting baked dish.
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Mix cooked rice with the meat sauce, stuff it into halved bell peppers, and bake until the peppers are tender for a nutritious meal.
Meat Sauce Chili
Combine the meat sauce with beans, corn, and chili spices to create a delicious chili that is perfect for colder weather.
Meatball Sub Sandwiches
Form meatballs from the sauce and serve them on toasted sub rolls with melted mozzarella cheese for a satisfying and messy sandwich.
Shepherd’s Pie
Top the meat sauce with creamy mashed potatoes and bake until golden for a comforting twist on the traditional dish.
