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)
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 recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
- Gluten-free if served over gluten-free noodles.
- Dairy-free if parmesan cheese topping is omitted.
Nutrition Facts
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 a Crock-Pot® Express Crock so 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.
I would love to win the Crock Pot cooker because I have four kids, so any kitchen appliance that saves me time is awesome!
I would love to try this again I’ve heard so much about these pressure cookers! I love the crock pot brand!
I love cooking with a crockpot and with a pressure cooker, it’d be nice to cut down to a single cooker.
I love the ability to saute before slow cooking
I’ve been intimidated by the instantpot, maybe this is the solution for me.
I’d love to try it out
I’m a busy mom of 4 boys and I’m always looking for healthy meals to feed my family in the most efficient way possible!
I’ve heard fantastic things about a modern day pressure cooker. I’d utilize it for the short cut factor- rice, hard boiled eggs, cooking big pieces of meat in less time. Crossing my fingers!
My crock pot slow cooler broke a few months ago and I’ve been debating what to replace it with. This would be perfect.
I haven’t had the pleasure of trying a pressure cooker yet. Sadly, I’m not a big fan of slow cookers but this might just be my thing.
Yum! Love following this blog…. lots of tasty ideas.
I would love to have one of these! I have loved all of the Crock Pot products my family has had over the years. I have been thinking I need a new slow cooker for our family of 6 and this multi-tasker has caught my eye. Homeschooling 3 kids keeps me busy and this gem would help me get through the rough dinner-prep time of day in a flash!
I want to try one out I’m a nurse and after working 12 hours and driving an hour home the extent of me wanting to cook is a burger or pbj sandwich.
I would absolutely love to try this recipe, it looks AMAZING!
I use my slow cooker often. I’ve heard differing opinions on the new pressure cooker/slow cooker appliances so I would love to give one a try.
This machine sounds like a better fit. The pressure cooker has never appealed to me.
Interested to learn more. Have always used a conventional slow cooker, but curious about pressure cookers.
I am skeptical about the pressure cooker craze as well. It would be nice to win this and see what the fuss is all about.
This sounds awesome! So many functions in one! Space saving and time saving!
Sounds delicious. How much excess liquid is there at the end?
Something I have been wanting to try!
been dying to try a pressure cooker…
I would love to try this Crockpot pressure cooker! I am always looking for ways to simplify dinner on weeknights, and this seems like an awesome tool. Thanks for the chance!
I would love to try the CrockPot Express Pot!
I’d love to try this brand to see if it works better as a slow cooker and still great as a pressure cooker. Would be nice to really have one appliance instead of two
I would love to try a pressure cooker and like you, I love my Crock-pot slow cookers so it makes sense to try the Crock-pot Express Crock.
Looks like a good recipe to try!
I LOVE to cook for my family and while I have the standard slow cooker, I would love to try this Crockpot Express. It would be great to make our family meals in a quicker timeframe!
How neat! I haven’t seen this version.
I have been dying to try this – with 3 children and a busy husband this would keep more healthy dinners on the table.
After your honest review of the Instapot I refrained from getting one. I actually received one as a gift and returned it before ever using. I would love to try the Express Crock and see if it’s the perfect combination of a pressure cooker and slow cooker. If so, it would solve a lot of my weeknight cooking challenges!
I keep looking at pressure cookers but haven’t pushed the button to buy one yet!
That was the one that i didn’t like about the instant pot is that if i’m stiring the food the bowl spins around. It drives me nuts. I also wish it was non stick, but not a big deal if you follow the directions when cooking things.
I am on the fence with this when I saw it was a no-stick interior. Can you tell me about that as I noticed the box doesn’t refer to it much. Is it a typical no-stick i.e. teflon? Stainless steel is one of the attractions to the Instant Pot. Are there stainless options available with this one too?
This sounds like a handy appliance and I am curious about trying a pressure cooker!
Would love to learn more great recipes!
I would love one!
I have three kids ages three and under, so I’ll take any time and mess saving opportunity I can get!! This would be a blessing to our family!
I’ve looked into getting one, but didn’t want one more appliance. At least it combines 2 into one. Thanks for honest review!
I’m thinking about this type of appliance…..
Sounds awesome. Bolognese sauce is fantastic.
I would love to try fresh recipes with my family!
Sounds intriguing!
I love shorter cooking times for food. I never plan early enough for everything!
Usually love your info and recipes. I’ve not used the crock pot, but this review is very misleading. Instant Pot has a slow cooker. And a stainless liner (which is SO easy to clean) and doesn’t leach out chemicals. I’m not an instant pot fanatic, but honestly, all of your IP criticisms are lame. Really, complaining about not having a start button? Why hit saute button then have to hit the start button? Why not just hit saute and have it do the job (a la the instant pot)? Just trying to balance the comments out.
This looks delicious! I haven’t purchased a pressure cooker yet because I love my crockpot, so thanks for your review!
I’ve been wanting to try this!
Anything that lessens the number of dirty dishes is a winner!
I would love to try out this recipe! I’ve been hearing so many good things about pressure cookers and to be able to save time while cooking healthy food for my family would be so helpful!
Thanks for the review. Currently researching these machines.
Happy I read this before I bought the “other” multi cooker! This looks way easier to operate. We’re trying to include our son in meal prep to both encourage independence (he’s about 75lbs overweight w/a multitude of health issues) and to help us all make healthier choices. Cut back on the ordering out/fast food.
I’ve wanted one of these!
This would help work night meals.
I can’t wait to try this!
I have been wanting one. I have been researching them to see which one would be best for our family.
Cant wait to try this
I have been wondering too about the pressure cookers. I’m glad to see Lisa reviewing this for me.
Curious to try.
Looks like a great recipe!
I have been slow to get on the instant cooker train but I think it would really help us have real food meals on days that I work. Thanks for the info on this new one!
I love crock pot and would happily try their new product.
The recipe looks amazing, I have yet to try and make it, but it’s on my to do list. I have multiple crock pot cookers and have been seriously looking at getting one of these. It would be amazing to win one, then I could go cooking crazy! :)
I would like to try this pressure cooker and compare it to the Instant Pot.
Always looking for a way to make meals quicker. This sounds like it would help.
I would love to win the Crock Pot Express Multi Cooker. It looks like it would speed up my dinner plans.
I have been not buying an instant pot because I don’t want to add another appliance. So having it also be a slow cooker would be ideal’
Instant pot has a slow cooker function.
I like to use Italian sausage instead of ground pork and a can of tomato paste in my Bolognese Sauce- the Italian sausage gives it great flavor and the tomato paste gives an extra kick of flavor and good texture!
I also hated the InstaPot, maybe I would like this one
This looks delish! Love Crock Pot and would love to try this new gadget!
Hope to win!
As a working mom of two young kids who are both active in extra-curricular activities, I’d love to have a tool like this to help prepare healthy and delicious meals for those extra busy nights.
This looks so convenient! I love the suggested menu you included.
Sounds like a super time saver to making good food!
Interesting
Sounds like a great timesaver!
Would love to try this!
I would love to try this one!
My husband and I are retired and we live 30miles away from our grandchildren. We try to attend all their athletic games (soccer, basketball, baseball, plus cross country and so we are at the games until about 6pm and have to drive 30 miles to get home. I think this would give us a good quick nutritious dinner when we arrive home so late.. I have never had a pressure cooker type appliance so I hope I will win!
Looks great, can’t wait to try!
Would love to try this one out!!
These recipes look great! I will definitely try all of them.
Love the concept of only one appliance to do it all.
I am committed to healthier eating for my family of 7 in 2018. I think the Crockpot Express would be a great resource for making quick, easy meals!
I spend too much on take-out because I don’t feel like cooking when I get home. A faster way to get dinner on the table would save me money and calories!
Looks so interesting. I look forward to trying it.
Looks delicious
I’d like to try the Crock Pot Express because I’ve been focusing on making real food for my 15 month old daughter in hopes that she doesn’t end up experience the fast food junkie phase of life like her momma. I want to teach her by example how to eat to nourish, and this kitchen tool seems like a wonderful addition to foster my “healthy baby” mentality! Thank you for offering this chance to win!
I recently was diagnosed with Lyme disease. I will be going back to a more natural “Paleo” diet, but all the cooking without using prepared foods can be daunting. I have been looking at several different brands of these “instant cookers” thinking one might help me prepare more healthy meals in less time.
A tool like this would help me serve my husband & 7 children sooner!!!
I love kitchen gadgets and haven’t tried pressure cooking yet.
I’d love to make a quick batch of Beef Short Ribs in a pinch.
After working all day, it is hard to get motivated to make a healthy meal for one person. This would make it much quicker with less cooking time and less clean-up. Winning this would be a great way to start the New Year.
I would like to win the Crock-Pot® Express Crock Multi-Cooker to give to my daughter, who is a missionary on a limited income. She loves to cook healthy meals, but doesn’t always have a lot of time to do that after a long day at work.
Sounds good!
I’m a fan of my crock pot – but with 8 people living in the house, it can be a lil crazy figure out who gets to slow cook what – would be nice to have a second apparatus to join the mix! (;
I’d love to win.
I think this would help me to eat and serve my growing family nutritious foods in the high-paced life we find ourself in. Thank you!
I’m still in the early stages of eating clean. But I am realizing any help in making this easier, quicker, and less clean up AND it’ll be healthier for my family… sounds like a match made in heaven! :)
I would love to win so I can make homemade dinners faster for my family.
I would love to own the Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker. I love to use my slow cooker and my pressure cooker so I think this multi-cooker would be the best of both worlds. I especially look forward to using the saute function and not having to use another pan for browning before using a slow cooker.