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Creamy Instant Pot Risotto Bolognese is a savory and meaty dish with pork sausage, tomatoes, bacon, and melty parmesan cheese. It’s comfort food at its best.
Making risotto in a pressure cooker is so much faster and easier than on the stovetop!
There’s no need to stir constantly, and the rice comes out perfectly tender and creamy every time.
I used to make risotto bolognese on the stovetop with my recipe from Barbara Bakes. But since converting it to a convenient pressure cooker recipe, I no longer cook it any other way!
Update: I’ve updated this recipe with new tips, tricks, and photos for perfectly creamy bolognese risotto in the pressure cooker. Enjoy!
How to Make Instant Pot Risotto Bolognese
This Risotto Bolognese recipe will work in any brand of electric pressure cooker, including the Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or Power Pressure Cooker XL.
I’ve made a few other improvements to this recipe to adapt it for an Instant Pot. First, I added savory pork sausage. (You can use chicken sausage if you prefer.)
You’ll sear the sausage in the pressure cooking pot as a first step to build flavor in the risotto.
Also, instead of pureeing the vegetables as I do for my stovetop risotto, I left them whole in this recipe. The sautéed carrot, onion, and celery add color, texture, and flavor to the final dish.
What Is Risotto?
Risotto is a classic Northern Italian rice dish made with long-cooked rice and melted cheese for a creamy, almost pudding-like texture.
At its most basic, risotto is a creamy, cheesy base for a variety of meats and sauces.
However, it’s easy and fun to elevate risotto to an entire main dish on its own, as we did here. From meats and vegetables to nuts and dried fruit, you can add texture and flavor to risotto to round out the dish.
What Kind of Rice Is Best for Risotto?
I recommend using Arborio rice for this recipe. It’s the classic Italian grain for creamy risotto that doesn’t turn to mush.
If you can’t find arborio, any Italian rice works well. In a pinch, you can use sushi rice.
More Creamy Risotto Recipes
If you have extra Arborio on hand, try these other easy Instant Pot risotto recipes:
- Instant Pot Rice Pudding because not all creamy rice has to be savory! This sweet cinnamon-spiced dessert is always a crowd-pleaser.
- Saffron Risotto is a classic bright yellow Italian dish that’s elegant but so easy to make.
- Instant Pot Creamy Lemon Risotto has a lemony flavor and creamy texture thanks to melted parmesan cheese and bright green peas for color.
- Pina Colada Rice Pudding puts a fun tropical twist on Instant Pot rice pudding.
- Instant Pot Shrimp Risotto from Only One Pot.
Do you LOVE this recipe?
Leave us a review below to tell us why!
Instant Pot Risotto Bolognese
Yield: 4-6 Servings
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Additional Time: 14 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Instant Pot Risotto Bolognese with seared pork sausage, bacon, and creamy Arborio rice with parmesan and tomatoes is a satisfying side dish or entrée.
Ingredients
- 1 pound country-style pork sausage
- 6 slices bacon, diced
- 1 onion, peeled and diced
- 1 carrot, peeled and diced
- 1 stick celery, diced
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 2 cups risotto rice (Arborio)
- 1/2 cup marsala
- 5 cups beef broth, divided
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan plus extra to serve
- Handful of fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Select Sauté and brown the sausage in the pressure cooking pot. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.
- Add bacon to the pressure cooking pot and cook until crisp. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic, and sauté until tender, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the rice and cook, stirring frequently, until rice becomes opaque, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add the marsala and cook for 2 minutes. Add 4 cups beef broth, tomatoes, tomato paste, milk, bay leaves, and cooked sausage. Lock the lid in place. Select High Pressure and 6 minutes cook time.
- When the cook time ends, use a quick pressure release. When the valve drops, carefully remove the lid.
- Select Sauté and stir in the remaining 1 cup of beef broth. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally for 1 to 2 minutes until most of the broth is absorbed and the rice is creamy.
- Stir in parmesan and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve topped with an extra sprinkling of parmesan.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 451Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 1844mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 24g
Nutrition information is calculated by Nutritionix and may not always be accurate.
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58 comments on “Instant Pot Risotto Bolognese”
Leave a comment »
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Ann-Cathrin Eide — Reply
Sound like alot of rice, how big instant pot do i need for that? Mine is 5,6 liters. Is it big enough, or do i need to half the recipe?
It looks delicious! Im just getting to know mine, cooked 3 times, and really happy with it🙏
Youre recipes looks really good 🤩-
Barbara Schieving — Reply
Thanks Ann-Cathrin – we use a 6 quart pressure cooker to create our recipes, so the recipe will work in your pc without changes.
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Elaine — Reply
Thank you so much for this wonderful risotto. I made the full recipe with leftovers in mind for my husband and I. We will have a second much appreciated dinners. I did not change a thing and it is perfect. Thanks again!!
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
Thanks Elaine – so glad it was a big hit!
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Cari — Reply
My first time making risotto and I was happily surprised by how easy it was. I was always too intimidated to try because of the constant stirring. I don’t have a lot of patience. Lol! This was fairly quick and easy and everyone loved it. I will definitely make it again.
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
It really is so easy to make in the pressure cooker. Glad everyone loved it. Thanks Cari!
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Mez — Reply
Made this for dinner tonight ‘simply delicious’ a winner with my family, definitely a keeper thank you for the recipe🙂
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
Thanks Mez! Glad it was a hit.
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Elsie — Reply
Do you cut up the sausage before or after browning it? I cut it up before but the recipe doesn’t say.
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
The sausage I used was like ground beef that you break up as it browns, but if you have link sausage, I would cut it up and then brown it.
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KLAIR L STONESIFER — Reply
This recipe is delicious. i used brown rice to make it a little healthier. followed the recipe exactly up to the pressure cooking. PC’ed it for 16 mins, added a package of sliced baby bella mushrooms, PC’ed for 6 mins more (brown rice requires 22 mins). Followed the rest of the recipe. It’s a mouthgasm!!!!
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
Thanks for sharing your changes Klair! I’ll have to try it with brown rice one day.
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Judy — Reply
Is simmer the same as low sauté?
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
Hi Judy – yes it is the same.
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Stephanie B Case — Reply
This is an amazing recipe. So many rich, delicious flavors!!! An absolute keeper, incredible how easy it is to make!
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
Thanks Stephanie!!
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JJ — Reply
What’s marsala? Marsala wine I’m assuming? Not like an Indian marsala?
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
Hi Jackie – yes, marsala wine, not masala. Enjoy!
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Beverley — Reply
The recipe is delicious. All of my family scarfed it down. After I released the pressure, my rice was still very crunchy, but after another 12 minutes or so on the low saute on my Instant Pot, stirring every minute or so, it was perfect. Definitely plan to make it again and again! Thanks!
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
Thanks Beverley – so nice to hear your experience and how much you loved it.
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Jenn — Reply
I don’t understand! I followed this recipe exactly and yet after twelve minutes in the instapot on high pressure my rice is still incredibly soupy!! I guess I will just finish it on saute like a regular pot…
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
Hi Jenn – perhaps your pressure cooker isn’t coming to pressure properly? Rice should definitely not take 12 minutes.
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Kristin — Reply
Amazing! I omitted the celery since I didn’t have it. I didn’t end up needing to use the entire cup of broth at the end. So good! I love all your recipes and have been using my Instant Pot several times a week!
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
Thanks Kristin! Glad you adjusted to suit your tastes 🙂
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Sondra — Reply
I accidentally bought white rice, can I use that instead of arborio? Thank you
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
Hi Sondra – yes, white rice will work just fine. Enjoy!
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Sondra — Reply
Thank you, I’m trying this Monday can’t wait!!
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Amy — Reply
Thanks for the recipe! This is delicious. I am eating it as we speak. I’m not sure how it has so much flavor with very little spices but Wow is all I can say. This is my first dish in my instant pot and it was a good choice. I had the power pressure cooker and returned it and got the instant pot instead. I made another one of your recipes in the powers pressure cooker a few weeks ago and my husband (who complains about something with every meal). Said it was really good so that is a huge compliment.
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
Hi Amy – so nice that you loved the recipe so much you commented while you were eating it. So glad I could help break in your new Instant Pot.
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Vicki LaPinta — Reply
This looks really yummy. Can I use pasta instead of the risotto?
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
Hi Vicki – what kind of pasta were you thinking of using?
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Alicia Porter — Reply
Nice recipe by the looks of it. To top it all, it is complete within 15 or 17 minutes! Would make a nice lunch. The only question here though is Marsala is a bit of a problem. I guess I’ll go with Valerie on this and omit it. I’m going to try this and give Barbara a thanks!
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Valerie peloso — Reply
What can I substitute Marsala or can I just omit ?
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
Hi Valerie – yes, you can just omit it if you prefer not to use it.
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Laura — Reply
I goofed and grabbed the long grain brown rice instead of the Arborio rice. Hope it still tastes ok.
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
Hi Laura – for brown rice you’ll need to cook it for 22 minutes and I’d probably add an additional 1/2 cup of water or broth. I’ve never had it with brown rice. Let me know how it goes.
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Carolyn Cole-Schweizer — Reply
This meal is fantastic and easy. We make it once a week. The leftovers are perfect for lunch during the week, or invite friends over for dinner (no leftovers…it’s so yummy).
Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe. We use the fa*gor Lux Multi Cooker for all our pressure cooker meals. So easy to use and clean up is a breeze.
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
Thanks Carolyn! This is one of my favorites too.. I agree, the fa*gor LUX is a great pressure cooker. Have fun!
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Sharon — Reply
Another great recipe! I used spicy sausage and the whole family
really enjoyed it. My husband was skeptical but pleasantly
surprised with the outcome. My daughter’s picky bf went
back for seconds. ? -
Melanie — Reply
Absolutely delicious!
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
Thanks Melanie!
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Kate — Reply
I made this last night. I used 3 sweet Italian sausage links anda bout 1 pound of lean ground beef. I also swapped the marsala for white wine. It was excellent! All 3 of my picky eating kids liked it. One even went for thirds!! I will definitely make this one again! thanks for the recipe!
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stephanie — Reply
Ah, this looks delicious! Does anyone know if risotto freezes well? (Google is giving me conflicting answers.) If not, does the recipe pressure times change if you halve this? (Sorry…just got my first Pressure cooker!)
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
Hi Stephanie – I’ve had good luck freezing risotto, but you could easily divide this recipe in half. The cook time would be the same. Enjoy!
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Bob — Reply
Don’t know about the freezing question, but I made this as a half recipe and it turned out great (and delicious)!
There was very little free liquid at the end, however. I think my rice was old and dried out so it absorbed more of the broth than I thought it would.
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Liren — Reply
I have so many delicious memories of my mom cooking with her pressure cooker. She would have loved this! Now I want to invest in one so I can make this risotto.
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
Hi Liren – I have fond memories of the meals my mom made in her pressure cooker too. You really should get one and get cooking 🙂
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Ray — Reply
Do you chop up the bacon or do you cook them whole? Making this tonight!
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
Hi Ray – yes, diced. Enjoy!
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Carol — Reply
Well SIGN ME UP for this one…..everything we love in one dish. What a great idea. I can’t wait to make this-off to take inventory of ingredients-it looks like I might have all I need already.
Thanks so much Barbara-this is a meal that’s right up my alley for sure. 🙂
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
Thanks Carol – hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
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Bob — Reply
this gets tried this weekend!! Harmon’s, eh? Are we Utah neighbors?
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Barbara Schieving — Reply
We are Utah neighbors. How could you not shop at Harmon’s Bob 😉
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Bob — Reply
I do, I do! I was seduced long ago by their cheese bar and artisan bread!;)
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Rachael {SimplyFreshCooking} — Reply
I love the parmesan bowls… so cute!
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Ageekymom — Reply
This soup sounds delicious! Do you have any tips or advice on converting recipes for a pressure cooker?
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Barbara — Reply
Thanks! That’s a great question and I’m sure I’ll do an entire post about it one day. Until then, check out this guide on Miss Vickie’s site http://missvickie.com/howto/cooking101/adapting.html.
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Laura @ hip pressure cooking — Reply
Wow! Interesting. The Parmesan frico bowls are inspired!
Congratulations on the launch of your new blog!
Ciao,
L