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    Home » Recipes » Instant Pot

    BEST EVER Instant Pot Lasagna

    Published: Oct 17, 2022 by Kristin · This post may contain affiliate links. · 101 Comments

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    All the flavors of the classic dish you love, made even easier using the Instant Pot! This Instant Pot Lasagna is delicious comfort food at its finest!

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    Growing up, lasagna was one of those meals made only for special occasions or if we had several guests coming over. Between boiling the noodles, making the meat mixture, cheese mixture, and assembling…the dish took a while to make.

    Now, lasagna is made even easier since you can make it in the Instant Pot! This one-pot meal layers rich spaghetti sauce, creamy cheese filling, tender lasagna noodles, and a savory ground beef filling for a quick Italian dinner the entire family will enjoy!

    Jump to:
    • Why this is the BEST Instant Pot Lasagna
    • Ingredients Needed
    • How to make Instant Pot Lasagna
    • Preparing Lasagna in Advance
    • Storage
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • How to serve
    • More Instant Pot Recipes to try
    • BEST EVER Instant Pot Lasagna Recipe

    Why this is the BEST Instant Pot Lasagna

    • Easy- this is the easiest way to make everyone’s favorite layered pasta dish. No boiling noodles beforehand, and all of the cooking happens right there in the pressure cooker! In fact, clean-up is almost as easy as the actual dinner-making.
    • Flavor Packed- this meal is packed with savory, creamy, cheesy flavor in every bite!
    • Easy to Change Up- you can use your favorite sauce, meat mixture, and even cheeses to make this your own. Perhaps even add in some veggies such as zucchini or mushroom.
    • Quick- only 25 minutes to pressurize and you won’t need to eat leftovers for weeks since this makes the perfect amount.

    Ingredients Needed

    Using basic ingredients, this recipe will have everyone requesting the recipe and wanting seconds!

    Cheese Layer

    • Ricotta Cheese- adds such rich, creamy flavor
    • Mozzarella- shredded
    • Basil/Thyme/Oregano/Italian Seasoning- don’t be shy on adding these, they really enhance the overall taste of this dish
    • Salt/Pepper- to taste

    Meat Mixture

    • Beef- I use 80/20, however, any leanness works, just be sure to drain grease.
    • Garlic- fresh is best, minced
    • Spaghetti Sauce- use your favorite store-bought sauce or make your own. For the best results, use a good, thick marinara. Thinner sauces will be runny and can turn the lasagna into a mess when it comes time to serve it.
    • Lasagna Noodles- I use no boil noodles, however, any type works as the sauce will soften the noodles as they cook
    • Mozzarella Cheese- shredded

    How to make Instant Pot Lasagna

    1. Make Cheese Filling- combine all ingredients in medium bowl. Set aside.
    2. Prepare Meat Filling- brown beef in a skillet until no longer pink. Add in the minced garlic and stir to combine evenly.
    3. Assemble- spray your 7-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Layer the bottom of your pan with 3-4 noodles, broken to fit pan. Cover with 1 cup pasta sauce. Spread ½ the meat mixture on top of sauce, pressing down slightly. Spread ½ the cheese layer evenly over meat. Repeat layer process one time using up remaining meat/cheese mixture. Add 1 final layer of noodles and cover with sauce and ½ cup mozzarella. Spray a sheet of tin foil with cooking spray and cover the pan tightly. Pour 1 ½ cups water into the bottom of your Instant Pot pan. Place the covered springform pan on the trivet and use the handles to lower it into the pan. Place the lid securely on and ensure valve is in sealing position
    4. Cook-manual, high pressure for 25 minutes.  Do a quick release and once pin drops, open lid and remove lasagna/tin foil. Place on baking sheet in oven on broil until cheese begins to brown. Remove from oven and allow to “rest” about 10 minutes to absorb juices. Remove springform sides of pan and slice to desired size.  Serve and enjoy

    Preparing Lasagna in Advance

    You can assemble, cover, and refrigerate this lasagna up to 24 hours before pressure cooking. Keep in mind the springform pan will leak into the refrigerator, so you’ll want to use a cake pan instead. When ready to cook the lasagna, remove it from the refrigerator, unwrap, cover with foil if desired, and pressure cook for 27 minutes instead of 25 minutes on high pressure.

    Storage

    Leftover cooled lasagna can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Additionally, you can wrap slices of the lasagna in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months.

    Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then unwrap the foil and plastic wrap.

    Heat in the microwave or oven to warm through.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Are there any substitutes for the ricotta cheese?

    Feel free use cottage cheese in place of ricotta cheese if desired. It is best to let your cottage cheese strain over a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth for a few hours before using the filling. This helps the cottage cheese have less liquid, making your lasagna’s layers stay intact better.

    What other meats can I use?

    Ground pork, ground turkey or Italian sausage are all great choices for this delicious lasagna.

    Can I use something other than red sauce for this? 

    Yes! You can use Alfredo sauce and make this more of a white pasta!

    Can I add vegetables into this to make it a complete meal?

    Absolutely! Simply sauté the veggies and add them in as you prepare the layers!

    Can I make this in a 3-quart Instant Pot?

    If you want to make this in a smaller Instant Pot, it works, but make sure you halve all of the ingredients. Cook time would stay the same.

    How to serve

    When serving lasagna, I love to add a side salad and/or garlic bread! To me, that is the ultimate combination! Of course, feel free to go your own route and serve this with anything you desire! Perhaps garlic pull apart bread, buttery bread machine dinner rolls, or even Garlic Cheese Crescents

    More Instant Pot Recipes to try

    Instant Pot Stuffed Shells– same great flavor of the classic favorite, now made faster in the Instant Pot

    Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein– noodle dish packed with classic Chinese flavor

    Beef Enchilada Instant Pot Casserole– layers of beef, sauce, cheese, and corn tortillas combine into a Tex-Mex dish the whole family will love

    Instant Pot Sausage, Green Beans, and Potatoes– one pot meal that comes together in no time

    If you don’t have the springform pan, I highly recommend buying one because not only can you make this lasagna, but you can make my Chocolate Peanut Butter Instant Pot Cheesecake and BEST EVER Instant Pot Cheesecake. Double win, right?!

    Want to save this recipe?

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    BEST EVER Instant Pot Lasagna Recipe

    Recipe by: Kristin
    All the flavors of the classic dish you love, made even easier using the Instant Pot! This Instant Pot Lasagna is delicious comfort food at its finest!
    4.14 from 92 votes
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    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Resting Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Servings 8
    Calories 415 kcal

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot
    • Springform Pan
    • Mixing Bowls
    • Non Stick Instant Pot Liner

    Ingredients
      

    • CHEESE LAYER
    • 1 cup Ricotta cheese
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
    • ½ teaspoon Basil
    • 1 teaspoon Oregano
    • 1 teaspoon Thyme
    • ½ teaspoon Italian Seasoning
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • MEAT LAYER
    • 1 lb ground beef
    • 6 cloves garlic, minced
    • 24 oz spaghetti sauce
    • 1 package no boil lasagna noodles
    • ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

    Instructions
     

    • To make the cheese layer, mix all ingredients into a small bowl. Set aside.
    • To make meat layer, brown beef in a skillet until no longer pink.
    • Add in the minced garlic and stir to combine evenly.
    • To assemble lasagna, spray your 7 inch springform pan with cooking spray.
    • Layer the bottom of your pan with 3-4 noodles, broken to fit pan.
    • Cover with 1 cup pasta sauce.
    • Spread ½ the meat mixture on top of sauce, pressing down slightly.
    • Spread ½ the cheese layer evenly over meat.
    • Repeat layer process one time using up remaining meat/cheese mixture.
    • Add 1 final layer of noodles and cover with sauce and ½ cup mozzarella.
    • Spray a sheet of tin foil with cooking spray and cover the pan tightly.
    • Pour 1 ½ cups water into the bottom of your Instant Pot pan.
    • Place the covered springform pan on the trivet and use the handles to lower it into the pan.
    • Place the lid securely on and ensure valve is in sealing position.
    • Cook manual, high pressure for 25 minutes. 
    • Do a quick release and once pin drops, open lid and remove lasagna/tin foil.
    • Place on baking sheet in oven on broil until cheese begins to brown.
    • Remove from oven and allow to "rest" about 10 minutes to absorb juices.
    • Remove springform sides of pan and slice to desired size. 
    • Serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    Recipe adapted from: Princess Pinky Girl

    Nutrition

    Calories: 415kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 24gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 128mgSodium: 760mgPotassium: 563mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 726IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 210mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @TheCookinChicks or tag #TheCookinChicks!

    Recipe updated 10/17/2022

     

     

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    Comments

    1. Diane says

      July 26, 2022 at 8:08 am

      5 stars
      Can I make two, pot in pot? How much longer should I cook them? Thx for your advice

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        July 26, 2022 at 9:16 am

        I have tried to make two and have yet to figure out the correct timing. One ends up under cooked or over cooked, and therefore never seems to work for me. I stacked on my trivet in the middle and although it did fit, I am still trying to work out the timing. Once I get it, I will update the recipe and add that in!

        Reply
    2. Kate says

      January 11, 2022 at 5:37 am

      Can you make this with just mozzarella?? It’s the only cheese we use in lasagna.

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        January 11, 2022 at 9:51 am

        You can, but it may change the consistency. You can also use cottage cheese in place of the ricotta cheese! Hope you enjoy!

        Reply
      • Patricia says

        June 09, 2025 at 7:04 pm

        Where did you get THAT INSTANTPOT? 💕💕💕💕💕

        Reply
        • Kristin says

          June 10, 2025 at 9:14 am

          Isn’t it so cute? My hubby bought me it! It’s actually a customized decal that is magnetized and wraps around it perfectly. He ordered it from Etsy a few years back and I just love it! Makes the Instant Pot even more fun to use!

    3. Kristi G says

      January 08, 2021 at 12:14 pm

      5 stars
      I have made this twice so far and we love it. The best part is that I can make a smaller amount and that it’s quick enough for a weeknight. I did want to mention that I bought oven-ready noodles the first time that weren’t no boil when I looked closer. False advertising, eh? To accommodate them, I just put hot water in a 13 x 9 pan and let them soften a bit while I got the rest of the ingredients measured and ready. It turned out great! The second time I made the recipe I made sure that I got the no boil noodles. And I have to say that I think the first batch was preferable to the second. So I thought I would comment in case this happens to anyone else.

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        January 11, 2021 at 10:06 am

        Oh that is good to know about the noodles as I have seen those and wondered! So glad you enjoy the recipe!

        Reply
    4. Tom Miner says

      January 01, 2021 at 11:08 am

      3 stars
      I have a comment on springform pans. Not all pans are created equal. I have a pan that I hadn’t used and was looking forward to “cristianing it” with your lasagna. Before I started assembling the ingredients I questioned the height of my pan. It’s only 2″ high, which I didn’t think would hold the ingredients. I went to the Amazon link that you provided, which leads one to a 7.5″ by 3.11″ springform pan. Much better size to hold the lasagna that I hope to make this coming week. i encourage you to add a recipe note about the pan size.

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        January 02, 2021 at 11:52 am

        Great tip! I will make sure I add something in about that as that is a great piece of advice!

        Reply
    5. Gail says

      December 29, 2020 at 1:35 pm

      I have an IP crisper lid. Do you think I could change the lid to brown the topping off? I’m one of those, keep it as simple as possible people! 😂

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        December 31, 2020 at 4:23 pm

        Hmmm, I have never used one of those before, but I don’t see why not! If you try it, be sure to let me know how it worked out!!

        Reply
    6. Breanna McElroy says

      December 29, 2020 at 8:27 am

      Hi thank you so much for sharing this! Where did you get the pink and white w gold instant pot cover from?? It’s so adorable!

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        December 29, 2020 at 8:47 am

        Aww thanks! I bought it off Etsy last year! There are tons of fun, colorful designs on there!

        Reply
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    Welcome to The Cookin' Chicks…I am so glad you've stopped by! I am Kristin, a busy mom of 3, a wife, and a family chef! There are three things that motivate me each day - Family, Faith, and FOOD! I, along with the occasional help of friends and family, want to share my food creations with you! So, I invite you to join me around my dinner table through the recipes that I will share with you here. I hope you will enjoy the journey as much as I do!

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