The Best Instant Pot Lasagna Recipe - Simply Happy Foodie (2024)

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Instant Pot Lasagna is the easiest lasagna recipe! It tastes delicious, and you can customize it to your taste, adding any of your favorite ingredients!. Did you know it is very easy to make lasagna in the Instant Pot? You don't have to boil the noodles first, so that's a win in my book! If you are in the mood for some tasty Italian pasta, make this pressure cooker lasagna recipe.

The Best Instant Pot Lasagna Recipe - Simply Happy Foodie (1)
Originally published Jan 19, 2018

Instant Pot Lasagna

This pressure cooker lasagna recipe is one of my most popular recipes! Often copied by others, but this is the original version of this recipe. The favorite Instant Pot lasagna recipe of thousands who have made it! Thank you all for your wonderful feedback and comments!

My husband, Paul makes a fantastic lasagna! He adds spinach, mushrooms, and other good stuff to it. His recipe makes a huge pan of it, and it lasts us for days! I wanted to make some in my Instant Pot electric Pressure Cooker, and see if it would turn out as good as his. And would it be any faster?

Well, he doesn't cook his noodles, so I didn't want to cook mine, either. I found some no-boil noodles that work perfectly (regular lasagna noodles worked as well, but the results were best when I soaked them first in very hot water for 15 minutes.).

He does a lot of chopping, and I wanted an Instant Pot Lasagna recipe where I could get good flavor without so much chopping. I turned to my pantry for some seasonings. Garlic powder, onion powder, and a few others did the trick! Saved some time there.

I decided to use my favorite jarred marinara sauce in this pressure cooker lasagna. When I have it, I use my homemade Instant Pot Marinara Sauce. Perfect! The Instant Pot Lasagna was coming together nicely! Here's a summary of how I made it:

How To Make Lasagna in an Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

  1. Spray a 7"x3" springform pan with cooking spray.
  2. Layer uncooked noodles in the bottom.
  3. Layer sauce, meat, and cheese mixture.
  4. Repeat layers two more times.
  5. Cover with a piece of sprayed foil, set on a trivet with handles (or use a sling) and put it in the pot.
  6. Pressure cook and let it naturally release for 10-15 minutes.
  7. Broil the top of your Instant Pot Lasagna to brown the cheese.

• Gather all of the ingredients and kitchen tools you will need.
•Cook the Meat with some seasonings so it isn't bland.
•Prepare the cheese mixture.
The Best Instant Pot Lasagna Recipe - Simply Happy Foodie (2)

•In a 7"x3" springform or push pan, start the layering with the no-boil noodles, which you will need to break apart to fit the shape of the pan.
•Next, layer ⅓ of the sauce, ½ of the meat, then ½ of the cheese mixture, and the spinach (optional).
•Start again with another layer of noodles, ⅓ sauce, ½ of the meat, ½ cheese mixture.
•Then noodles, sauce, and top cheese layer.
The Best Instant Pot Lasagna Recipe - Simply Happy Foodie (3)

The Best Instant Pot Lasagna Recipe - Simply Happy Foodie (4)

•Cover with a piece of sprayed foil, set on a trivet with handles (or use a sling) and put it in the pot.Set the cook time and let it naturally release for 10-15 minutes after pressure cooking.
•Broil the top of your Instant Pot Lasagna to brown the cheese*.
The Best Instant Pot Lasagna Recipe - Simply Happy Foodie (5)
*Broiling is an optional step, and you can brown the cheese as much as you like.

The Best Instant Pot Lasagna Recipe - Simply Happy Foodie (6)
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".

The Best Instant Pot Lasagna Recipe - Simply Happy Foodie (7)

The Best Instant Pot Lasagna Recipe - Simply Happy Foodie (8)
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)

If you make this delicious Lasagna in the Instant Pot, please let me know. Just leave a comment with a star rating below. I'd like to know how it worked for you.

The Best Instant Pot Lasagna Recipe - Simply Happy Foodie (9)

Instant Pot Lasagna

Prep Time

25 mins

Cook Time

24 mins

Total Time

1 hr 4 mins

Instant Pot Lasagna is delicious and hearty. No need to pre-cook the pasta if you use no-boil noodles. Pressure cooker lasagna is easy to make.

Course:Dinner

Cuisine:Italian

Keyword:pressure cooker lasagna

Servings: 4 - 5

Calories: 427 kcal

Author: Sandy Clifton

Ingredients

Meat Mixture

  • ½lbLean Ground Beef(85% to 90% lean) You can use all ground beef
  • ½lbGround Italian Sausage(you can use all sausage)
  • ½teaspoonCoarse Salt(¼ tsp table salt)
  • ¼teaspoonPepper
  • ½teaspoonOnion Powder
  • ½teaspoonGarlic Powder
  • ½teaspoonItalian Seasoning

Cheese Mixture

  • 1cupRicotta Cheese(or Cottage Cheese)
  • 1Egg
  • ½cupMozzarella Cheese,shredded
  • ½cupParmesan Cheese,grated
  • 1 ½teaspoonGarlic Powder
  • 1 ¼teaspoonOnion Powder
  • 1 ¼teaspoonItalian Seasoning
  • ½teaspoonOregano
  • ½teaspoonSalt(if your pasta sauce is salty, decrease to ¼ tsp)
  • ½teaspoonPepper
  • ¼cupChopped Fresh Parsley

Remaining Layers

  • 1(24 oz) jarPasta Sauce (about 3 cups)(I prefer marinara, or use your favorite brand)
  • ½cupChopped Spinach Leaves, optional(fresh, or frozen, thawed)
  • 5-6No Boil Lasagna Noodles(or regular uncooked lasagna noodles that have been soaked in very hot water for 15 minutes)
  • ½cupMozzarella Cheese,shredded
  • ½cupParmesan Cheese,grated

Instructions

Cook Meat

  1. Set pot to Sauté and add the beef, sausage, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Cook, stirring, until the meat is cooked.

  2. Remove meat, drain, and set aside. Clean out pot and add 1 ½ cups water to it.

Mix the Cheese Mixture

  1. In a mixing bowl combine the ricotta, egg, mozzarella, parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, oregano, salt, pepper, and parsley. Use a fork to mix thoroughly. Set aside.

Make the Lasagna

  1. In a 7"x3" or 6"x3" springform or push pan, make a layer of the no-boil noodles by breaking them and fitting them like a mosaic to cover the bottom of the pan.

  2. Spread ⅓ of the pasta sauce over the noodles, covering them all.

  3. Spread ½ of the meat mixture over the sauce evenly.

  4. Spread ½ of the cheese mixture evenly over the meat.

  5. Sprinkle the spinach (if using) over the cheese mixture evenly.

  6. Add another layer of noodles, press down on them a little.

  7. Add another layer of ⅓ of the sauce.

  8. Add the second half of the meat.

  9. Add the second half of the cheese mixture.

  10. Add another layer of noodles, the last ⅓ of sauce, ½ cup of mozzarella, and ½ cup of parmesan.

  11. Spray a piece of foil with nonstick spray and lightly cover the pan with the foil, enough that water can't get in.

  12. Set the pan on a trivet with handles and lift them into the inner pot that has 1 ½ cups of water in it. You can also use a sling to set the pan on the trivet in the pot.

  13. Close the lid and lock in place. Turn the steam release knob to the Sealing position.

  14. Press the Pressure Cook or Manual button (or dial) and choose 24 minutes. High Pressure. It will take about 5 minutes or so for the pot to come to pressure.

  15. When the cook cycle has ended, let the pot sit undisturbed for 10-15 minutes (10-15 minute Natural Release). Then, turn the knob to the Venting position to release any remaining steam.

  16. When the pin in the lid drops down, open the lid. Use silicone mitts, sling, or good pot holders that can get wet to lift the rack with the hot pan out of the pot to a cooling rack. Be VERY careful as it could slip off the rack.

  17. Carefully remove the foil. Turn on your broiler to 450° with the oven rack in the middle to top ⅓ position in the oven.

  18. Set the pan on the oven rack and let the cheese on top brown to your desired amount. Watch it closely as it doesn't take very long. Every oven is different!

  19. Let the lasagna rest for a few minutes before releasing from the pan. This will help it maintain its shape and cool down just a bit.

  20. Carefully (pan and lasagna very hot) release the lasagna from the springform pan while it is on a plate.

  21. If you used a push pan, set a large can of soup or veggies on a plate and set the push pan on top of the can. gently, and carefully push the sides of the pan straight down. Wear oven mitts or some kind of hand protection. The pan and the lasagna will be very hot.

    Then slide another plate under the lasagna. You might need to use a spatula to help slide it over.

  22. Serve with salad and some crusty bread!

Recipe Notes

This recipe works best in a 7"x3" springform or push pan. It will not fit in a 2" deep pan.

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FAQs

What makes lasagna taste better? ›

Five Secrets of Building the Ultimate Lasagna
  1. Secret #1: No-Boil Noodles Actually Taste Better. ...
  2. Secret #2: For a Rich Sauce, Use Pork Sausage Instead of Ground Beef. ...
  3. Secret #3: Fresh Mozzarella Actually Makes a Difference.
Jan 6, 2015

How many layers should a lasagna have? ›

Top the last layer of your lasagna with sauce and cheese. You can also alternate layers of sauce and ricotta cheese. Most lasagna recipes have two to three layers.

What not to do when making lasagna? ›

A well-made lasagna can be a delicious and satisfying meal, just as long as it's cooked correctly.
  1. Not cooking the noodles correctly. ...
  2. Not having all the ingredients ready. ...
  3. Not browning the meat. ...
  4. Using the wrong cheese. ...
  5. Skipping the dairy sauce. ...
  6. Skimping on the amount of marinara. ...
  7. Improperly layering the noodles.
Feb 21, 2023

What is the lasagna noodle trick? ›

Simply load up your baking dish with your lasagna noodles and shower them with hot water from your faucet, and you're done! Then, set the noodles aside as they soak while you prepare the other ingredients until you're ready to layer your lasagna.

Why do you put milk in lasagna? ›

Milk. It tenderises the meat, to leave you with the most tender ragù.

Which ricotta cheese is best for lasagna? ›

Organic Valley Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese

To me, this tastes the most like freshly made ricotta. The texture is a little chunky, but it's not cottage cheese-y. This is the best ricotta for lasagna or manicotti or just serving on toast with some black pepper.

How to stop lasagne from falling apart? ›

The biggest offender, though, is watery, thin pasta sauce. A helpful technique can prevent this pitfall from sabotaging your lasagna: Reduce your sauce to thicken it before pouring it into the casserole. A thin sauce runs right off of cooked lasagna noodles, causing all the layers to slide off of each other, as well.

Should you criss cross lasagna noodles? ›

(Do notice that I put the noodles criss cross – perpendicular from the layer below – it helps it to hold together when you serve it). So, the noodles directly on the cheese means there won't be enough for a top layer of noodles.

Do you cook lasagna covered or uncovered? ›

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until cheese is golden brown, 5 to 10 more minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

Does lasagna cook better in glass or metal? ›

Some acidic bakes (like fruit cobblers) and lasagna or casserole (containing tomatoes, citrus, or other acidic fruit) may bake best in a glass dish, to prevent the metal from reacting to the acidic ingredients.

Is there a wrong way to make lasagna? ›

10 Most Common Lasagna Mistakes

There shouldn't be too much or too little filling. Too much between one layer and another will keep you from ever getting a perfect slice. Too little and all you'll taste is pasta. Do not put large pieces of vegetables or meat in lasagna for the same reason as above.

Should lasagna sauce be thick or thin? ›

So, to achieve the perfect lasagna, the consistency of the sauce is absolutely essential. Both the ragù and béchamel sauce should be dense and creamy. Avoid sauces that are too liquid and slide to the bottom of the dish. A thicker consistency of the sauce will allow the pasta to be flavoured in the best possible way.

Why put toothpick in lasagna? ›

Poke 9-12 toothpicks over the surface of your lasagna (to keep the foil from sticking to the cheese). Cover with foil and bake at 375˚F for 45 minutes.

How many layers of lasagna noodles should you use? ›

You will need four layers of noodles total. It is best to start and finish with wider layers, so if you have less than 16 noodles, put your extra noodles in the bottom or top layers. (For the purposes of this recipe, I'll assume you have 15 noodles.)

How do I elevate my lasagna? ›

Up the luxe factor by infusing the white sauce with wild mushrooms, which provide a complementary flavour for the beef. Give the meat sauce a boozy kick with a generous measure of full-bodied red wine. It's important that you don't add too much liquid to the sauce – lasagne shouldn't be a sloppy dish.

Why is my lasagne tasteless? ›

Add herbs and spices: Adding herbs and spices to your lasagna can enhance its flavor. Consider using basil, oregano, thyme, and garlic. Don't overcook the pasta: Overcooking the pasta can make it mushy and affect the texture of your lasagna. Cook the pasta al dente, which means it should be firm but not crunchy.

How do you make lasagna less bland? ›

Use vegetables like carrots, onions, and celery for flavor plus lots of garlic and herbs. If making a meat sauce, brown and season the ground meat before adding the tomatoes. Incorporate tomato paste for thickness, and make sure to reduce the sauce as a thicker tomato sauce works better for lasagna.

How do you enhance frozen lasagna? ›

Put some olives, onions, and chopped tomatoes on top under another layer of cheese.

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