Easy Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna Recipe

This Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna is a fantastic crowd pleaser and an absolute family favorite! This quick dish tastes just like traditional homemade lasagna, everyone's favorite comfort food, but it's super easy to make. I will warn you, though, this recipe is so tasty, you might not be getting leftovers. This amped-up lasagna makes a warm and hearty dinner the whole family will love. If you love Instant Pot recipes and are a fan of lasagna, this recipe is for you!

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Give your family a hearty, delicious meal – without having to spend hours in the kitchen! This easy lasagna recipe is made in an Instant Pot and cooks quickly with minimal effort. In just 4 minutes of cook time, you'll have an Italian-inspired dish that everyone will love!

My Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna recipe is made specifically for the pressure cooker (or multi-cooker) and is…well, lazy. It takes me less than 10 minutes to throw it together.

The hardest part of this instant pot version is dumping in the ingredients and pushing a button!

Nothing is better than a hot meal on a cold night, except maybe hot quick meals! This pressure cooker lasagna is a quick and easy meal that is sure to become one of your favorites. It is a regular in my dinner rotation, with Instant Pot Ham and Potato Soup and Instant Pot Pork Ribs - From Frozen.

Check out my other delicious recipes made in the Instant Pot for busy weeknights.

Jump to:

• Why you need to make instant pot lazy lasagna
• What type of noodles are best in this lazy lasagna recipe?
• Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
• How to make lasagna in the instant pot
• What do I serve with this instant pot dump lasagna?
• Variations for instant pot deconstructed lasagna
• Equipment for lazy lasagna instant pot
• Storage
• Top tips
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• More Instant Pot Recipes
• 📋 Recipe
• Food safety
• More recipes
• 💬 Comments

Why you need to make instant pot lazy lasagna

EASY TO MAKE AND TASTES DELICIOUS: This instant pot deconstructed lasagna is packed with the delicious flavors of lasagna. This dish is easy to prepare, even if you are new to using the Instant Pot.

COOKS FAST: I love the taste of lasagna, and it is one of my favorite recipes, but I don't love the long cook time. That's why this recipe is so great! It is done in a fraction of the time it takes to make lasagna in the oven without sacrificing taste!

VERSATILE: I love that Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna is made with things I always have in my kitchen. No need to make a run to the supermarket! You can easily substitute different kinds of pasta and add any vegetables on hand. Add ingredients to your liking, or leave out ingredients to fit your taste buds!

GREAT FOR COMPANY: Yes, this instant pot lazy lasagna is company-worthy. This is one of my favorite recipes to cook when I have company and don't have time for hours of prep; the Instant Pot does all the work for you!

HANDS OFF COOKING: The pressure cooker does all the work for you. You have to brown the ground beef, add the ingredients, turn it on, and let it cook. The result is a pasta dish that tastes just like classic lasagna!

ONE-POT: I'm all about easy family meals and one-pot cooking, and this meal ticks both of those boxes! The flavors are amazing, and it couldn't be any easier to prepare. Imagine a rich meat sauce, perfectly cooked noodles, and lots of cheese all cooked in your Instant Pot from start to finish in 20 minutes!

COMFORTING: This lazy lasagna recipe is the perfect dish for wintertime when you need something warm and hearty. This cheesy goodness will fill your belly and warm you up!

PERFECT FOR SUMMER: Even though this lasagna is the ultimate comfort food, it is also FANTASTIC in the summer. It doesn't heat your house, and you have a perfect meal the whole family will love!

What type of noodles are best in this lazy lasagna recipe?

Lazy lasagna is one of my favorite things to make in the Instant Pot. I love making it because it's very simple to throw together and who doesn't love a good lasagna? It's hearty and has a lot of Italian flavor with all the different ingredients in this dish.

I have gone back and forth on the noodles to use in the Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna. There are pros and cons for each noodle, and I thought it would be helpful for you to know about them before you start cooking!

First of all, I recommend Mafalda noodles if you can find them. They are mini lasagna noodles that cook up perfectly in the pressure cooker. I used to buy these noodles on Amazon, but then they ran out. Here in Canada, we have a Bulk Barn store, and they have these noodles in bulk.

If you don't have Mafalda noodles, you can use broken-up lasagna noodles. You can break them up until you get 4 cups' worth. You don't want little chunks, but about 1-2-inch chunks. I will warn you, though, when using the broken-up lasagna noodles, the lazy lasagna is soupier; it tastes fantastic as well. You never know you might like it this way better!

Another option is to use other pasta such as fusilli, bow tie pasta, macaroni, or penne pasta. Honestly, whatever you have in your cupboard will work just fine.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

This easy dinner recipe is perfect for chilly days and busy schedules. A favorite of ours, the ingredients are simple and easy to find at the grocery store.

• Lean ground beef. I used lean ground beef, but you could also use other ground meat such as a mixture of ground beef and ground pork, or ground sausage or ground Italian sausage. If you have a freezer full of wild game, ground venison is an excellent alternative. You could also use ground turkey for a healthier option.
• Olive oil. This is to prevent the meat from sticking to the bottom of the pot. No one wants to get a burn notice!
• Onion, diced. I used a yellow onion, but you can use any type of onion you have. You could also substitute ½ teaspoon of onion powder.
• Garlic cloves, diced. I used garlic cloves chopped fine, but you could also substitute ½ teaspoon of garlic powder.
• Pasta sauce. I used my favorite jar of organic pasta sauce. You could also use homemade spaghetti sauce. Another alternative is to use tomato sauce and a little bit of tomato paste to thicken it up.
• Mafalda noodles. I used these mini lasagna noodles, but you can substitute any type of pasta such as bowtie pasta, broken-up lasagana noodles, or fusilli pasta. Use whatever you have on hand!
• Cottage cheese. I used cottage cheese, but you can use ricotta cheese instead. Both of these work equally well, and I use whatever I have in my fridge.
• Black pepper. I love the sweet and spicy flavor of black pepper in this dish. Use course ground black pepper for a more vibrant taste.
• Sea salt. You can really taste the difference that sea salt makes. If you don't have any, just use ordinary table salt instead.
• Italiano seasoning. This Italiano seasoning really makes this dish stand out. Any Italian seasoning will work.
• Oregano. I love oregano, and use it in every Italian dish. Use fresh oregano if you have it!
• Beef broth. I used hot beef broth so I didn't bring the temperature of the food down too much. For a less robust flavor, substitute plain water instead.
• Fresh mozzarella. I used freshly grated mozzarella for this delicious dish. You could also use parmesan cheese. Feel free to use extra or both if you like lots of cheese.

See the recipe card for quantities.

How to make lasagna in the instant pot

Everyone loves traditional lasagna, a classic Italian dish, but cooking it in the oven can be a long and tedious process. The Instant Pot simplifies cook time with its one-pot cooking method that cooks food fast and evenly. Let's get started!

Step 1: Saute. Press the saute function on your pressure cooker and add the olive oil to the pot. Add the ground beef, stirring frequently. When the pink is almost gone, add the diced onions and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the onions begin to get translucent. Drain any grease. Press CANCEL.

Step 2: Add the sauce. Add the pasta sauce and spices, and seasoning to the pot. Stir to combine. Scrape the bottom of the pot with a spoon to release any browned bits that may be stuck to the bottom.

Step 3: Add the noodles. Add the noodles on top of the meat mixture. DO NOT STIR.

Step 4: Add the liquid. Pour the beef broth or water on top of the noodles. DO NOT STIR. Press down on any noodles that are above the water. You want the water to be above the noodles. If you are using larger noodles, make sure you have enough water to cover the noodles.

Step 5: Cook. Place and secure the lid on your pressure cooker. Set the time to pressure cook for 4 minutes (high pressure).

Step 5: Quick release. When the instant pot beeps, it signals that it is done and quick release the pressure. Be very careful as the steam that spurts out is hot and can burn you.

Step 6: Add cheese. Once the pin has fallen, remove the lid when the pressure is gone. Add the cottage cheese (or ricotta cheese) to the lasagna and stir to combine all ingredients. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese (or parmesan cheese) on top of the lasagna.

Step 7: Place lid on. Place the lid back on the instant pot and turn it to lock. Let it sit for 3 minutes. The heat gets trapped in the pressure cooker, and it is still hot enough to heat the cottage cheese and melt the cheese on top.

Step 8: Serve and enjoy. After 3 minutes, remove the lid. Dish up the lasagna and enjoy!

What do I serve with this instant pot dump lasagna?

• Caesar salad
• Breadsticks
• Garlic bread
• Focaccia bread
• Air buns
• Spinach salad
• Green salad
• Raw veggies
• Roasted veggies

Variations for instant pot deconstructed lasagna

• For something spicy, try adding a teaspoon of chili powder or red pepper flakes.
• Add some fresh veggies such as a bell pepper, spinach, mushrooms, or celery for a healthier lasagna.
• Omit the meat and add your favorite vegetables for a vegetarian lasagna.
• Add fresh thyme or fresh basil for extra flavoring.

Equipment for lazy lasagna instant pot

To make this Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna, you need an Instant Pot or any pressure cooker.

Storage

Let the lasagna cool completely. Place cooled lasagna in an airtight container.

FRIDGE: Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave until hot throughout.

FREEZER: This lasagna freezes really well. It will keep in the freezer for up to three months in an airtight container. I like to place a sheet of plastic wrap directly over the lasagna to touch the lasagna before I cover it with a lid or aluminum foil.

Top tips

• Saute the ground beef, onion, and garlic first. The meat needs to be fully cooked before we set it to pressure. It is set for such a short time that it is not enough time to cook the meat thoroughly. Be careful not to burn the meat, you don't want to get a burn notice!
• Scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon after you are done sauteing the meat to remove any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot.
• Drain grease from the meat before adding in the rest of the ingredients.
• If using different types of noodles, you may need to cook for a little longer. If the noodles are not cooked enough, set the timer for another 2 minutes, then quick release the pressure and see if they are cooked enough. Thicker noodles take longer to cook.
• Adjust the seasoning to taste.
• Top with parmesan cheese for even more cheesy taste.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

More Instant Pot Recipes

This instant pot lazy lasagna is an easy recipe that provides a quick meal that tastes just as good as a classic lasagna. The recipe is made right in the instant pot with minimal effort and without many ingredients. Not only is it easy, but it also tastes fantastic!

I hope you enjoyed this recipe for Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna. If you try it out and like it, I would appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave a star rating below. Also, please leave a comment below saying how much you enjoyed it and what other types of recipes/ingredients would be interesting for me to write about in the future.

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Food safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended

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