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!
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! Also try my Easy Lazy Lasagna for a shortcut alternative!
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
- Make Cheese Filling- combine all ingredients in medium bowl. Set aside.
- Prepare Meat Filling- brown beef in a skillet until no longer pink. Add in the minced garlic and stir to combine evenly.
- 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
- 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?!
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BEST EVER Instant Pot Lasagna Recipe
Video
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!
Nutrition
LEIGH says
Made this tonight and it turned out well. Hubby and I both thought the cheese filling tasted a little soapy, though, and I have been googling to see which of the spices we didn’t care for. Any idea? Savory herb is an ingredient in the Italan seasoning mix I used, and I’m wondering if that’s what we didnt like. What italian seasoning mix do you recommend? Thank you.
Kristin says
It most definitely is the Italian Seasoning. For people, that spice is either hate it or love it. You can always omit and use Basil or Oregano to season on its own? I typically just use store brand of the Italian Seasoning. You can always cut down on the amount used and increase different seasonings to make it more to your tastes? Glad to hear it turned out well though!
Amy says
My 9 and 13 yr old daughters fixed this for dinner the other night. It was delicious. I removed it fromt the instant pot for them, but otherwise they were in charge. It was slightly overfull, but I just pressed it down and doubled the foil.
We will make this again..
Kristin says
That’s great! I love getting my kids into the kitchen to help and sounds like yours did great!! Glad it was enjoyed!
Christine Smith says
Hello,
I was wondering if some of the sauce may seep hrough the bottom of the springform pan? Thanks!
Kristin says
Hi!! Yes, typically just a small amount of sauce seeps through, however, its not enough to make a huge mess or cause the liquid to escape. I typically assemble on a cutting board so I can rinse easily afterwards!
Cyndal Jones says
Hi Kristen, I tried this recipe tonight. I have a 6 qt insta pot and 7inch spring form pan. I followed to a T and i didn’t have enough room to add the final layer. Did I do something wrong? I was able to transfer to a dish and is now baking in the oven but would love to try in instapot next time. Thanks!
Kristin says
Hmmm, you should’ve been able to fit it?? Try packing it down with a spoon next time! It should definitely fill to the tippy top, but still be able to squeeze it all in there! So bummed it didn’t fit!!
Amy says
So, my top layer of noodles weren’t done. Everything else was fine. I have an 8 qt IP. Longer cook time? More water in the bottom? Help!!!
Kristin says
Did you cover with enough sauce? Add a bit more sauce to the top layer next time. There shouldn’t be a need to increase cook time or water, however, since I am using a 6 quart, go ahead and increase the water by 1/4 cup and add additional sauce. Try that and let me know! Should be perfect! Enjoy!!
Erica Lopez says
How much water is required to be poured into the inner pot? I have not cooked in the instant pot using the trivet yet.
Kristin says
1 1/2 cups water into the bottom of the inner pot! Hope you enjoy!
Kristin Johansen says
Delicious. Will definitely be making this again
Kristin says
Glad you enjoyed it!!
Brandon says
Hi, great recipe unfortunately when I slice into the lasagna, it doesn’t hold well. Noodle and meat fall apart. Seems a bit watery? I used cottage cheese though? Perhaps will go back to ricotta?
Thanks
BH
Kristin says
The cottage cheese is a bit more liquidy than the ricotta. I would cut down on liquids a bit if subbing that. As for not holding shape, the extra moisture would do that, but let it sit for a few extra minutes too! Try the ricotta and let it sit a few minutes, should slice perfectly!
Diana Despres says
Kristin,
I came across this recipe because someone shared it on the InstantPot FB page and it looked so amazing that I bought the ingredients that day! LOL I made this recipe last night and WOW!! It was delicious and super easy. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe. I look forward to finding more things to cook from your blog. I too love feeding my family!
Blessings…
Kristin says
Yea!! So glad you enjoyed it! Its a favorite in my house and my family doesn’t even realize how simple it is to make, so I get major credit, haha!! Hope you enjoy the recipes, be sure to keep me posted on what you try!!
Lisa Granda says
I really want to make this but I have the 3qt. Do u have recipe for that size? Or how I could adapt it to fit? Thanks!
Kristin says
I believe they make a mini springform pan, around 4 inches, that would fit into the 3 qt. You could always use this recipe to make two of those? Or cut this recipe in half to make the mini version!
Becky says
This recipe is very tasty! I did swap out cottage cheese for the Ricotta and added a little Parmesan but when I cut a slice it didn’t hold the slice. I just re-read your comment about swapping out those cheeses and missed to use less cottage cheese. Any idea how much less? Are there pasta sauces that are thicker than others. I used Prego. I’m wondering if a different brand would have been less runny.
Kristin says
I would cut the cheese in half to start if swapping. I haven’t personally tried it that way yet, but that’s a good starting point. If you let the lasagna sit for about 10 minutes, it should hold its slice a bit better, but it does sort of slide due to the juices, pasta, and liquids.
As for sauces, I use all different types, however, you can always add a bit cornstarch to the sauce to thicken it up. I have found meat sauces are a bit thicker and less “watery”.
Hope that helps! Glad you enjoyed!
Marianna Surface Markham says
How well does it freeze? (I’m cooking for 1.)
Kristin says
Do you mean once cooked? If so, it freezes great! In a freezer safe container for up to 3 months! Enjoy!
Sheryl Behr says
Recipe was delicious but confusing. Please change ingredient list or instructions to say not entire box of noodles but 3 single layers total and 1/2 c cheese on top. It says 1 cup and 1/2 cup cheese on top.
Kristin says
I have corrected the cheese, thanks for catching that! As for the pasta, some people use different sizes on the Springform pan, therefore, I say box so everyone has enough. So glad it was a hit and sorry for the confusion! Thanks for catching the cheese mix up 🙂
Linda HALLAM says
Can I cook this in the oven and if I can what temperature and how long
Kristin says
Sure! Once its in the Springform, bake at 375 degrees for about 40 minutes!
Rae says
Do you remove the insert from the IP then drop the springform pan in its place? I am a tad confused on this. Recipe sounds great.
Kristin says
No, place the inner pot into your Instant Pot. Then add the metal trivet that came with the Instant Pot. Pour water into inner pot. Then place springform into inner pot, so its sitting on the trivet. Does that help? Feel free to message me and I will help! I’ll be adding pictures to this recipe to help clarify as well!! Enjoy!