241 Comments / By Lisa Leake / December 21, 2017 / Food Shopping, Recipes
22 Reviews / 4.9 Average
I tried my bolognese sauce recipe in the new Express Crock Programmable Multi-Cooker to see if I could save time and create fewer dirty dishes. This recipe turned out great AND saved time.
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It’s no secret that I recently tried to get on the electric pressure cooker bandwagon–and surprisingly I was not a fan (I was expecting to love it)! So, I have to say that I was a little skeptical when I was asked if I would try the new Crock-Pot®Express Crock Multi-Cooker(which we are giving away below!) and share my honest opinion for today’s sponsored post*. I absolutely LOVE my Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker, so I decided it was worth giving the pressure cooker one more try using a different brand.
For this experiment, I decided to make a recipe that could be made in a slow cooker, but would require some stove top prep cooking first. Cutting out extra dirty dishes is definitely one of the advantages I did see with the electric pressure cooker when I tried it; you can do any sautéing that is required right in the appliance. I also picked a recipe that’s typically best cooked for a long period, Bolognese Sauce.
Bolognese Sauce
Based on my previous experience with pressure cookers, surprisingly, the Crock-Pot® Express Crock was easy to use. I guess a little practice is what it takes with these appliances, but I have to say (and I promise no one is paying me to say this!) half the problems I had before with pressure cookers were a non-issue with this one. And, in addition to being a pressure cooker, it can also steam, slow cook, and brown/sauté foods as well.
There were some differences I noticed right away. First of all the insert stayed put instead of spinning all around when I was using the sauté function. Secondly, the recipes that came with the machine were very straightforward. I feel that when you are using a new appliance with a variety of buttons it’s nice when the directions tell you exactly what to push and when with no assumptions! And lastly, I was pleased to see there was a “start button.” Much like you feel the need to hit “save” on a document or “exit” before closing a program, this was something I felt was missing on similar appliances in the past.
In the end, the Bolognese Sauce tasted great and only took a fraction of the time. Here’s the recipe for you!
Bolognese Sauce (Pressure Cooked)
I tried my bolognese sauce recipe in the new Express Crock Programmable Multi-Cooker to see if I could save time and create fewer dirty dishes. This recipe turned out great AND saved time.
22 Reviews / 4.9 Average
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 35 minutes mins
Total Time: 45 minutes mins
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Method: Slow Cooker
Diet: Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Peanut/Tree Nut-Free
Print Recipe
Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion (diced)
- 4 carrots (peeled and diced)
- 4 ribs celery (diced)
- 4 ounces diced pancetta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt (plus extra for taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper (red or black, plus extra for taste)
- 1 28-oz can diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
Instructions
Press BROWN/SAUTE, set the temperature to HIGH and then press START/STOP. Add the olive oil and cook the onions, carrots and celery while stirring until they begin to soften, 5 to 8 minutes.
Add the pancetta, beef and pork, season with a few shakes of salt and pepper and cook while stirring until brown all the way through, 5 to 8 minutes.
Add the wine and cook until reduced by half, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the Italian seasoning, salt and pepper along with both cans of tomatoes. Press START/STOP to turn off the saute function.
Secure the lid. Press MEAT/STEW, set pressure to HIGH and adjust the time to 15 minutes. Make sure the STEAM RELEASE VALVE is in the “SEAL” (closed position). Press START/STOP.
Once cooking is complete and the pressure is released (either manually or automatically), open the lid.
Optional, but recommended: Spoon off some of the liquid and/or turn back on to the BROWN/SAUTE setting to boil off the liquid for a thicker sauce (as pictured).
Serve on a bed of cooked whole-wheat noodles topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Notes
- We recommendorganic ingredients when feasible.
- Gluten-free if served over gluten-free noodles.
- Dairy-free if parmesan cheese topping is omitted.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Bolognese Sauce (Pressure Cooked)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1143Calories from Fat 333
% Daily Value*
Fat 37g57%
Saturated Fat 12g75%
Cholesterol 90mg30%
Sodium 4576mg199%
Potassium 7679mg219%
Carbohydrates 174g58%
Fiber 45g188%
Sugar 103g114%
Protein 58g116%
Vitamin A 10061IU201%
Vitamin C 279mg338%
Calcium 1012mg101%
Iron 36mg200%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Want weekly REAL FOOD meal plans made for you?→ Check It Out
About the Crock-Pot® Express Crock + a Meal Plan
With it’s multi-functionality, the Crock-Pot® Express Crock can be used to make many other recipes as well. Not only does it work as a pressure cooker, but it also can make all of your slow cooker meals, too. This one appliance can actually slow cook, pressure cook, steam, and brown and saute. Having so many ways to use it, the meal ideas are endless. Here is a weekly plan for some inspiration to get you started!
Meal Plan
Monday
The Best Pulled Pork in a Crock Pot
Tuesday
Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken
Wednesday
Easy Steak Chili
Thursday
Gluten-free, Dairy-free Carrot Soup
Friday
Flank Steak Fajitas
Saturday
Cauliflower Soup
Sunday
Sunday Sauce
Giveaway
Now it’s time to give away aCrock-Pot® Express Crockso you can try it yourself! Enter below and one lucky winner will be chosen and notified by January 5th, 2018 via email (so make sure you use a good email address).
*This post is sponsored by the Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker brand, however all opinions are mine alone.
Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but 100 Days of Real Food will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps us spread our message!
About The Author
Lisa is a wife, mother, foodie, blogger, and #1 New York Times Best-selling author who is on a mission to cut out processed food.
241 thoughts on “Bolognese Sauce (in the Crock-Pot® Express Crock Multi-Cooker)”
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Shadi Weinberger
March 13, 2019 at 11:15 am
Hey girl. This looks amazing, but my family doesn’t eat pork… can I substitute for more ground beef or some ground turkey to make it a little leaner as well?
Reply
100 Days Admin
March 13, 2019 at 12:05 pm
You could definitely do either of those options with this recipe. – Nicole
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Christa Kile
March 14, 2018 at 1:53 am
When it says red wine, what kind of red wine is good for cooking. I don’t really drink alcohol much, so I don’t know a lot about it, and I haven’t cooked with it before. I’d like to try!
Reply
March 13, 2018 at 7:50 am
thank you so much for sharing this reciepe…i would like to try this oneReply
Kelly
February 13, 2018 at 2:28 pm
So if you wanted to do this in a regular crock pot, what would the instructions be? How long to cook? I can’t afford to buy another appliance but would love to make this.
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Stacy winkler
January 10, 2018 at 10:30 pm
So good! This recipe made a lot of food! This one is a crowd pleaser. My kids thought it was great!Reply
January 9, 2018 at 7:29 am
Wow! What an amazing food recipes site i ever come across and i just can’t wait to try it at home asap.
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Dawn
January 4, 2018 at 5:13 pm
This sauce looks awesome will have to try. My version usually includes bacon (a favorite in a house full of boys)
Reply
Amanda
January 3, 2018 at 11:12 pm
I’ve been debating which type of pressure cooker to get – this blog was helpful and persuasive, thanks!
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Selima Garris
January 3, 2018 at 2:43 pm
I would love to try this.
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Sue
January 2, 2018 at 9:50 am
I have a pressure cooker and I never use it. It always seemed like to much work and a bit scary. I would love to try an electric version. I love the versatility of being able to sauté/brown in the pan before using as a crock pot – slow cooker as well
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Roxane
January 1, 2018 at 10:04 pm
Looks like a great product to save space in a small kitchen by limiting appliances needed. I could give a slow cooker, rice maker and yogourt maker away and add a pressure cooker to my appliances!
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Sue
January 1, 2018 at 4:04 pm
I would love to try this!
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Beverly
January 1, 2018 at 1:06 pm
Very attractive appliance. I would love to have one sitting on my kitchen counter and start using it to cook all of my new recipes from 100 Days of Real Food.
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DealinDiva
January 1, 2018 at 9:13 am
I would like a multi cooker so I can pressure cook my meats and also to make stew.Reply
Katie N
December 31, 2017 at 5:39 pm
I’ve been thinking about a pressure cooker because I LOVE my Crock Pot, but during the work week I am out of the house for longer than the crock pot cook time. I’d be able to use the pressure cooker to prepare dinners during the week, and also prepare multiple meals during my days off (in preparation for the week). It would make eating real food much easier!
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Michelle
December 31, 2017 at 2:11 pm
I’ve wanted a multi-cooker for so long. This one looks great!
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Jaime
December 30, 2017 at 4:46 pm
I would love to try this in starting back with eating real food… I’m cutting out processed foods again (after 2 years of being bad and feeling horrible) in the new year.
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Erika Brown
December 29, 2017 at 11:46 pm
If it’s made by Crock-Pot then it’s well made! I would love this appliance to make my busy life simpler.
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Lindsey Reynolds
December 29, 2017 at 1:59 pm
I would love to try this, I love my crock pot, but have been waiting to try out a pressure cooker as well.Reply
Lisa
December 29, 2017 at 10:19 am
I bought one of your cookbooks and purchased your kids lunchtime cookbooks as well. However with two teen age girls very busy in dance and school and my husband (sales rep)and I (special education teacher)working full time we haven’t found the time to dig in to the cookbooks. This pressure cooker would be a great jump start to trying your recipes and a healthier lifestyle for our whole family! Thanks for taking the time to share with us to help improve others eating in a realistic way!
Reply
Ali
December 28, 2017 at 10:34 pm
I’m really curious about and interested in creating food with a pressure cooker- especially one that is multi-functional like this Crock-Pot brand. Many restaurants pressure cook their chicken to seal in the moisture and flavor- I wonder if I could duplicate some of the copycat recipes! Also, some of the meaty pasta sauces I’ve tasted have such finely, delicately ground beef- I bet it is a result of hours of simmering. Could a pressure cooker achieve the same results in a fraction of the time…? It would be interesting to experiment! :)
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Sylvia Harris
December 28, 2017 at 4:10 pm
I would like to try this new crock pot, am always hurrying after work to get dinner ready.
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Deb
December 28, 2017 at 2:49 pm
I have been wanting to get a pressure cooker. I have been trying to compare the different brands. Santa didn’t bring me one so maybe I will be the lucky winner!
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Kelly R
December 28, 2017 at 1:38 pm
It seems like a slow cooker on steroids! I’d love to be able cut out the dirty pots and pans you need for pre-cooling many slow cooker recipes.
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Sara
December 28, 2017 at 12:53 pm
I have been wanting to get on the pressure cooker train but have heard so many mixed reviews! Glad this one has some great features!
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Louisa
December 28, 2017 at 12:19 pm
I love my slow cooker, and the ability to sauté right in the pot and cook delicious meals in half the time would be wonderful!Reply
Debbie
December 28, 2017 at 12:11 pm
I work 2 full time jobs and a pressure cooker appliance would greatly help in making healthy meals in a timely fashion.
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Lisner
December 28, 2017 at 11:51 am
I am skepital about these types of appliances, but would love to try it for free! :)
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Nicole M
December 28, 2017 at 11:11 am
I have been wanting to try a pressure cooker for it’s many benefits but have been intimidated by the use of it. This one sounds very easy to use!
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Candise Powell
December 28, 2017 at 9:25 am
I need a new Crockpot and have been curious about these multicookers! Would love to win this!!!
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Sue
December 28, 2017 at 9:07 am
Would love this to make week nights simpler.
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Bridgette Stegall
December 27, 2017 at 11:35 pm
This is great feedback- I definitely want to get this crock pot. I have a delicious venison chili recipe that I want to try out with this crock pot.
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Jessica Leon
December 27, 2017 at 10:34 pm
I would love to win this! I’m going back to school to finish my masters degree and with 3 kids and a husband this would help prep food for the week!Reply
Betsy Werner
December 27, 2017 at 10:00 pm
Whoa, this looks awesome! So often healthy meals require so many steps and extra dishes to use, clean and put away—I love how this all-in-one machine can do it all! Fewer dirty dishes and a faster meal prep means more time to sit and enjoy dinner with my family.
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Elizabeth Jacobson
December 27, 2017 at 8:24 pm
Trying to cut out processed foods. I would love try one of these as we are a busy family.
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Elaine
December 27, 2017 at 8:19 pm
This new pot is everything I’ve been dreaming of! Less mess and easy! Loving the recipes too! THIS busy mom Would Love to win!
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Crystal
December 27, 2017 at 8:05 pm
So exciting to think about the many meal possibilities! Thank you for the honest post and wonderful meal plan. I’d love the opportunity to try one, the cost of one never fit my budget!
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Amy
December 27, 2017 at 6:55 pm
I like the multifunctionality of this appliance.
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Claire O'Shaughnessy
December 27, 2017 at 6:29 pm
Would love to win this as it would be great to be able to have things cooking/prepping while I get other stuff done after a long day at work and the bolognese recipe sounds delicious!
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