Craving a rich, comforting lasagna but short on time? Discover the ultimate game-changer: Instant Pot Lasagna! This incredible recipe revolutionizes classic Italian comfort food, making it simpler, faster, and just as delicious as the traditional oven-baked version. Say goodbye to the tedious process of boiling noodles beforehand and hello to a remarkably easy, customizable, and utterly satisfying meal.
The Instant Pot transforms lasagna preparation, allowing you to create layers of tender pasta, savory meat sauce, and gooey melted cheese with minimal effort. Whether you’re a seasoned Instant Pot user or new to pressure cooking, this recipe will quickly become a family favorite, proving that convenience doesn’t mean compromising on flavor. Get ready to impress your taste buds and simplify your dinner routine!
Originally published Jan 19, 2018. This recipe has been tried and loved by thousands!
The Easiest Instant Pot Lasagna Recipe You’ll Ever Make
This pressure cooker lasagna recipe isn’t just a recipe; it’s a phenomenon! Since its initial publication, it has quickly become one of the most beloved and frequently made dishes among our community. Often imitated, this is the original, time-tested version that thousands have fallen in love with. The outpouring of positive feedback and wonderful comments has been truly overwhelming, and we are so grateful for each one! Your success in the kitchen is our greatest reward, and this recipe consistently delivers rave reviews.
The inspiration for this easy lasagna recipe comes from my husband, Paul, whose traditional lasagna is nothing short of legendary. His creation, usually packed with fresh spinach, mushrooms, and other delightful additions, yields a massive pan that happily feeds us for days. However, I was eager to explore if my trusty Instant Pot electric pressure cooker could replicate the same fantastic flavor and texture, but with significantly less fuss and in a fraction of the time. The goal was simple: achieve that deeply satisfying, hearty lasagna taste with the convenience and speed that the Instant Pot is famous for.
One of Paul’s ingenious shortcuts in his traditional recipe is skipping the pre-boiling of lasagna noodles. This immediately sparked an idea: could this be translated to the pressure cooker? Absolutely! The beauty of using an Instant Pot for lasagna is that you don’t have to boil the noodles first. For this recipe, I found that “no-boil” lasagna noodles work perfectly, absorbing moisture and cooking to tender perfection right within the pressure cooker. If you only have regular lasagna noodles on hand, a simple trick is to soak them in very hot water for about 15 minutes before layering. This ensures they soften sufficiently during pressure cooking, giving you that ideal lasagna consistency.
Another common hurdle with traditional lasagna is the extensive chopping and prep work. While Paul enjoys the process, I wanted an Instant Pot Lasagna recipe that delivered exceptional flavor without requiring an hour of dicing vegetables. My pantry became my secret weapon! A thoughtful combination of pantry staples like garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning provided all the aromatic depth needed, dramatically cutting down on prep time without sacrificing taste. This focus on efficiency and flavor makes this recipe a true winner for busy weeknights or when you simply want to enjoy homemade Italian pasta without the usual culinary marathon.
For the sauce, I typically reach for my favorite jarred marinara sauce, which offers a robust and balanced base. However, for those special occasions or when I have extra time, my homemade Instant Pot Marinara Sauce elevates this dish to another level of fresh, vibrant flavor. Whichever you choose, the sauce forms the soul of your lasagna. With the noodles sorted, the meat seasoned, and the cheese mixture prepped, this Instant Pot Lasagna truly comes together beautifully, promising a satisfying meal with minimal fuss. Below, you’ll find a concise summary of the steps involved, followed by detailed instructions for culinary success.
How To Make Lasagna in an Instant Pot Pressure Cooker: A Quick Overview
Making a delicious, layered lasagna in your Instant Pot is surprisingly straightforward. Here’s a brief summary of the steps involved, highlighting the efficiency and ease of this pressure cooker method:
- Prepare your pan: Lightly spray a 7″x3″ springform pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Start layering: Begin by arranging uncooked or pre-soaked noodles to cover the bottom of the pan, breaking them to fit as needed.
- Add flavor: Follow with a generous layer of your chosen sauce, then the seasoned meat mixture, and finally a creamy cheese mixture.
- Repeat the magic: Create two more layers, repeating the sauce, meat, and cheese sequence, ensuring each layer is evenly distributed.
- Pressure cook: Carefully cover the pan with sprayed foil, place it on a trivet with handles (or use a foil sling), and lower it into your Instant Pot with 1.5 cups of water. Pressure cook and allow a natural release for 10-15 minutes.
- Achieve golden perfection: For that irresistible golden-brown, bubbly cheese topping, carefully remove the lasagna from the Instant Pot and broil it in your oven for a few minutes.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the lasagna to rest before slicing to help it hold its shape, then serve warm with your favorite sides.
Before you begin the layering process, ensure all your ingredients and kitchen tools are gathered and ready. This mise en place approach makes the assembly smooth and efficient. The first step involves cooking your meat – a crucial stage where you infuse it with savory seasonings like salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning, preventing a bland base. Simultaneously, prepare your rich and creamy cheese mixture, a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, egg, and more seasonings, which will bind your lasagna layers together beautifully.
When it comes to layering, precision ensures an even distribution of flavor and texture throughout your Instant Pot Lasagna. In a 7″x3″ springform or push pan, start with a mosaic of no-boil noodles, breaking them to perfectly fit the round shape. Next, spread a third of your rich pasta sauce, followed by half of the perfectly seasoned meat mixture, and then half of the luscious cheese mixture. For an added boost of nutrition and flavor, consider sprinkling in some fresh or thawed chopped spinach. Repeat these layers once more, starting with noodles, then another third of the sauce, the remaining meat, and the rest of the cheese mixture. Finish with a final layer of noodles, the last third of the sauce, and a generous sprinkle of mozzarella and parmesan for a cheesy crown.
Once your lasagna is beautifully layered, cover the pan with a piece of foil that has been lightly sprayed with nonstick spray. This prevents moisture from seeping in and keeps the top layer of cheese from sticking. Place the covered pan onto a trivet with handles (or use a sturdy foil sling for easy removal) and carefully lower it into your Instant Pot, which should contain 1 ½ cups of water. Set the pressure cook time and allow for a 10-15 minute natural release after cooking. This crucial step helps the lasagna set and become firmer, making it easier to slice and serve.
The final touch for a truly irresistible Instant Pot Lasagna is broiling the top to achieve that perfect golden-brown, bubbly cheese crust. While optional, this step adds a beautiful texture and depth of flavor that many find essential for a perfect lasagna. You can brown the cheese as much or as little as you like, keeping a close eye on it under the broiler as it can brown quickly.
*Broiling is an optional step, and you can brown the cheese as much as you like for a beautiful golden finish.
For safe and easy removal of your hot lasagna from the Instant Pot, a foil sling is an indispensable tool. If you don’t have a trivet with handles, a simple homemade sling works wonders. To create one, take a 24-inch length of heavy-duty aluminum foil and fold it over three times lengthwise. This will create a sturdy 3-inch by 24-inch sling that you can place under your springform pan before lowering it into the Instant Pot, providing a secure way to lift the heavy pan out once cooking is complete.
This is what a foil sling looks like, if you need to use one. Take a 24 inch length of foil and fold it over 3 times the long way. You will have a sling that is 3″x24″.
Once your lasagna emerges from the Instant Pot, perfectly cooked and potentially broiled to perfection, the only thing left to do is admire your culinary masterpiece and, of course, enjoy it! This pressure cooker lasagna offers all the traditional Italian flavors you love, but with a significantly streamlined process. It’s a testament to how modern kitchen appliances can enhance classic recipes, making them accessible even on the busiest days. Serve this hearty dish with a fresh green salad and some crusty garlic bread for a complete and utterly satisfying Italian feast.
You Might Also Enjoy These Instant Pot Favorites:
- Instant Pot Easy Lasagna Soup
- Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Instant Pot Marinara Fresh Tomato Sauce
- Instant Pot Cheesy Meaty Shells
- Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana (Sausage Potato Soup)
We absolutely love hearing from you! If you try this fantastic Instant Pot Lasagna recipe, please take a moment to leave a comment and a star rating below. Your feedback is invaluable and helps other home cooks discover and enjoy this delicious and incredibly easy Italian dish. Share your experience and let us know how this pressure cooker lasagna worked out for you!
Instant Pot Lasagna
Equipment
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6-quart Electric Pressure Cooker
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7″x3″ Springform Pan or Push Pan
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Instant Pot Trivet with Handles or Aluminum Foil for Sling
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Large Mixing Bowl
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Foil for Covering Pan
Ingredients
Meat Mixture
- ½ lb Lean Ground Beef (85% to 90% lean, or use all ground beef)
- ½ lb Ground Italian Sausage (sweet or spicy, or use all sausage)
- ½ teaspoon Coarse Salt (or ¼ tsp table salt)
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian Seasoning
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese (or Cottage Cheese for a lighter option)
- 1 Egg
- ½ cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
- 1 ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 ¼ teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 ¼ teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Oregano
- ½ teaspoon Salt (adjust to ¼ tsp if your pasta sauce is already salty)
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- ¼ cup Chopped Fresh Parsley
Remaining Layers
- 1 (24 oz) jar Pasta Sauce (about 3 cups) (marinara is preferred, or use your favorite brand)
- ½ cup Chopped Spinach Leaves, optional (fresh, or frozen and thawed, squeezed dry)
- 5-6 No Boil Lasagna Noodles (or regular uncooked lasagna noodles soaked in very hot water for 15 minutes)
- ½ cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded (for topping)
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese, grated (for topping)
Instructions
Cook Meat
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Set your Instant Pot to the Sauté function. Add the ground beef, Italian sausage, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to the pot. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until it is thoroughly browned and cooked through.
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Carefully remove the cooked meat from the pot and drain any excess grease. Set the seasoned meat aside. Clean out the Instant Pot inner pot to prepare it for pressure cooking, then add 1 ½ cups of water to the bottom.
Mix the Cheese Mixture
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese), egg, shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, oregano, salt, pepper, and chopped fresh parsley. Use a fork or whisk to mix all the ingredients thoroughly until well combined and creamy. Set this cheese mixture aside.
Assemble the Lasagna
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Lightly spray a 7″x3″ or 6″x3″ springform or push pan with nonstick cooking spray. Begin by creating the first noodle layer: break the no-boil lasagna noodles as needed to fit and cover the entire bottom of the pan, forming a solid base.
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Evenly spread ⅓ of the pasta sauce over the noodle layer, ensuring all noodle pieces are covered.
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Next, spread ½ of the cooked meat mixture evenly over the sauce.
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Follow with ½ of the prepared cheese mixture, spreading it gently and evenly over the meat layer.
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If using, sprinkle the optional chopped spinach evenly over the cheese mixture.
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Add another layer of broken noodles, pressing down lightly to compact the layers.
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Spread another ⅓ of the pasta sauce over this second noodle layer.
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Add the second half of the meat mixture, spreading it out.
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Spread the second half of the cheese mixture over the meat.
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For the final layer, add the remaining noodles, the last ⅓ of the sauce, ½ cup of shredded mozzarella, and ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese.
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Take a piece of aluminum foil, spray one side with nonstick spray, and lightly cover the pan with the sprayed side facing down. Ensure it’s sealed well enough to prevent water from entering, but not so tightly that it creates a full seal.
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Place the covered lasagna pan onto a trivet with handles or a homemade foil sling. Carefully lower the trivet/sling with the pan into the inner pot of your Instant Pot, which already contains 1 ½ cups of water.
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Close the Instant Pot lid and lock it into place. Turn the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
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Press the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” button (or turn the dial, depending on your model) and set the cooking time to 24 minutes on High Pressure. It will take approximately 5-10 minutes for the pot to come to pressure before the cooking countdown begins.
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Once the pressure cook cycle has completed, allow the pot to naturally release pressure for 10-15 minutes (referred to as a 10-15 minute Natural Release). After this time, carefully turn the steam release knob to the Venting position to quick release any remaining steam.
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When the floating pin on the lid drops down, it is safe to open the lid. Using silicone mitts, the foil sling, or sturdy pot holders that can get wet, carefully lift the trivet with the hot lasagna pan out of the Instant Pot and place it on a cooling rack. Be extremely cautious as the pan will be very hot and could slip.
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Gently remove the foil covering the lasagna. If desired, preheat your oven broiler to 450°F (230°C) with the oven rack positioned in the middle to top third of the oven.
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Place the lasagna pan directly on the oven rack under the broiler. Watch it very closely as the cheese will brown quickly. Broil until the top cheese layer is golden brown and bubbly to your desired level of crispness. Every oven’s broiler is different, so vigilance is key!
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Allow the lasagna to rest for at least 5-10 minutes before attempting to release it from the pan. This resting period helps the layers set and cool slightly, which is crucial for maintaining its shape when sliced.
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If using a springform pan, carefully unlatch and remove the sides of the pan while the lasagna is resting on a serving plate or cutting board. The pan and lasagna will still be very hot.
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If you used a push pan, place a large can of soup or vegetables on a sturdy plate, then set the push pan on top of the can. Gently and carefully push the sides of the pan straight down, allowing the lasagna to lift upwards. Always wear oven mitts or appropriate hand protection as the pan and lasagna will be extremely hot. Then, carefully slide another plate or serving platter underneath the lasagna to transfer it. A spatula can assist in sliding it over.
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Slice and serve your delicious Instant Pot Lasagna with a fresh green salad and some warm, crusty bread for a complete and satisfying Italian meal!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
RESOURCES TO MAKE Instant Pot Lasagna Recipe and More
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- Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart Electric Pressure Cooker
- 7-inch Springform Pan for Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Silicone Sling/Trivet
- Heat Resistant Silicone Mitts
Pin This Recipe for Later!
Don’t forget to save this incredible Instant Pot Lasagna recipe for future meal planning! Pin it to your favorite Instant Pot or dinner recipes board on Pinterest so you can easily find it whenever that lasagna craving strikes. It’s a lifesaver for busy weeknights and a crowd-pleaser for any gathering!