Instant Pot Short Rib Ragu: A Delicious and Easy Comfort Food Recipe
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this rich and delicious Instant Pot Short Rib Ragu. This recipe is a game-changer, offering a hearty and satisfying meal made quickly and easily in your pressure cooker.
When it comes to comfort food, pasta dishes reign supreme. Regardless of the season, a well-prepared pasta dish can always hit the spot. Don’t you agree?
I’ve always been a fan of a good short rib ragu served over a generous portion of pappardelle pasta. Before I started making it at home, it was a dish I frequently ordered at restaurants.
When I first began recreating this classic Italian-American recipe in my own kitchen, I consistently relied on the slow cooker. This was long before the rise of the Instant Pot. Slow cooking effectively tenderizes the meat, mirroring the results of traditional braising but without the need for constant stovetop supervision.
Now, thanks to the Instant Pot, you can prepare an even more flavorful short rib ragu in considerably less time!
Instant Pot Short Ribs Ragu: A Weeknight Delight
While this recipe does require some initial preparation, the effort is absolutely worth it. Compared to traditional braising, this method is far simpler and quicker. I’m confident that you’ll love it so much that you’ll find yourself making it repeatedly, just as I do for my family!
This Instant Pot Short Ribs Ragu provides a faster rendition of the slow-cooked classic: braised short ribs. Instead of simmering for hours, it’s ready in approximately one hour from start to finish.
The ragu features beef short ribs seared in bacon drippings, adding an extra layer of flavor. The sauce includes tomatoes in three different forms: diced, paste, and sauce. This variety enhances the richness of the dish and ensures a complex and well-rounded flavor profile.
I typically serve Instant Pot Short Ribs Ragu with a wide, robust pasta such as pappardelle. I’ve also had success with tagliatelle, fettuccine, and rigatoni. The key is to choose a pasta that can effectively hold the luscious ragu.
The Best Wine Pairings for Short Ribs Ragu
A rich, meaty sauce calls for a red wine with similar characteristics. For a balanced pairing, try the 2016 Légende Médoc 2016, pictured above. Composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, this full-bodied red wine has a long, subtly spicy finish that beautifully complements the bold flavors of the short rib ragu.
Alternatively, you can pair this recipe with a full-bodied Merlot or Chianti.
Red Wine Substitutes in Short Rib Ragu
If you prefer not to use red wine in the sauce, simply substitute an equal amount of beef broth.
Slow Cooker Short Ribs Ragu Option
Yes, you can make this ragu in your slow cooker! Before the Instant Pot became my go-to appliance, I always prepared this Red Wine Slow Cooker Short Ribs recipe instead. Both methods result in a delicious short ribs ragu. While I personally prefer the Instant Pot version because searing the meat creates a beautiful smokiness, the slow cooker version is equally satisfying!
Ragu vs. Bolognese: What’s the Difference?
Both ragù and bolognese are hearty red sauces typically served with pasta. The key difference lies in their base: ragù sauce is meat-based, while bolognese sauce is tomato-based. Although most bolognese sauces also contain meat, the primary flavor comes from the tomatoes.
Elevate Your Mac & Cheese with Short Rib Ragu
My favorite way to enjoy leftover short rib ragu? Mixed into mac and cheese! It’s truly amazing, and while I enjoy mine with vegan mac & cheese, I’m sure traditional dairy mac & cheese would be even more decadent.
Easy Instant Pot Short Ribs Ragu Recipe
Instant Pot Short Ribs Ragu
This rich, hearty short rib ragù is a delicious family dinner!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef short ribs
- Salt & pepper to season
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 strips bacon, chopped into 1″ pieces
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (equals about 2 tsp)
- 1 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped into small pieces (yields approximately 1 cup)
- 1/4 cup dry red wine
- 1 can petite diced tomatoes (14.5b oz can, undrained)
- 1 can tomato paste (6 oz can)
- 1 cup tomato sauce (your favorite jar or from a can)
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp parsley, finely chopped for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Dry short ribs with a paper towel and salt & pepper both sides. Set aside.
- Add olive oil to the Instant Pot, turn to SAUTE, and add bacon. Sauté until cooked, remove and set aside on a plate.
- Add short ribs to the Instant Pot and sear all sides until brown (no need to cook completely, just make sure all sides are nicely seared and brown). Remove from the Instant Pot and set aside on a plate.
- Add onions, garlic, carrots and sauté for 2-3 minutes, just until all are slightly soft.
- Add red wine and deglaze the bottom of the pot, gently scraping any meat or veggie bits off the bottom with the wooden spoon.
- Return the ribs to the Instant Pot. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, thyme, rosemary, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth. Seal lid.
- Set your Instant Pot to Meat/Stew for 35 minutes. Allow for natural release, then remove the meat, discard the bones (or save them to make beef broth!) and shred meat using two forks. Return meat to the pot and serve over pappardelle pasta. Garnish with cooked bacon and parsley.
Notes
If you prefer a thicker sauce, add 8 minutes to the pressure cooking time and then quick release at the end. This usually yields a thicker sauce.
I make this in my 8-quart Instant Pot Duo, but you could also make this in a 6-quart Instant Pot. Do not attempt to make this in a 3-quart pressure cooker.
Nutrition
Calories: 481kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 37g, Fat: 26g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 13g, Cholesterol: 98mg, Sodium: 1127mg, Potassium: 1678mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 14g, Vitamin A: 3860IU, Vitamin C: 30mg, Calcium: 102mg, Iron: 7mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?
Please leave a star rating and comment! Then snap a pic of your dish and share it on social media. Tag @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife!
More Comfort Food Bliss
- Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs with Pasta (Dairy-Free)
- 30-Minute Instant Pot Sausage and Peppers Pasta
- Chicken Marsala Pasta