The one thing I hate about making lasagna is that it is a long prep time. The layering and the baking take forever. However, this Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna takes almost no time to prep and is super easy for a busy mom like me! Let me show you how to make the best lazy day lasagna in your Instant Pot!
Hands down one of my favorite recipes is my moms homemade lasagna. It’s a labor of love and the best lasagna I’ve ever eaten. But it takes all day to make. Yup, ALL.DAY. She starts early in the morning making the sauce and prepping the cheeses. Then she assembles everything and bakes it to perfection.
I love lasagna but I don’t have all day to make it. I want all the flavor without the added time. My Instant Pot lazy lasagna is just that – amazingly delicious in a fraction of the time.
What is Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna
Lazy lasagna is just that! It’s the lazy way of making lasagna. It almost reminds me of a hamburger helper lasagna only so much better and tastier. Instead of layering your lasagna noodles with sauce, pasta, cheese, and then more pasta, you just cook it all together. Lazy lasagna takes all the prep work out, but still gives you the same great flavor of lasagna. It’s literally as easy as our Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe!
Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna Ingredients
Ingredients are for 6 to 8 servings. Here’s what you need:
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 11 dried lasagna noodles
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 24-25 ounce jar of marinara sauce
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 4 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
Ground beef – You can also use ground turkey, ground pork or a combo of them in this lazy lasagna.
Tomato paste – Grab one of those small cans of tomato paste for this recipe. You only need a few tablespoons so you can freeze the rest.
Marinara sauce – You need a big jar of sauce for this recipe. Grab your favorite one. I love getting sauce with roasted garlic for a little added flavor.
Ricotta cheese – Authentic lasagna uses ricotta cheese but you can easily substitute cottage cheese, if you’d like.
Parmesan cheese – Grab a block of Parmesan and grate it yourself. This provides a much better flavor and consistency.
Do I Have to Use Lasagna Noodles?
The great thing about this recipe is that you don’t have to use lasagna noodles if you don’t want to. I have used bow tie noodles, spaghetti noodles, and penne noodles. Because you don’t have to layer the noodles like you would traditional lasagna, you can switch up the noodles as you like.
How to Make Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna
This recipe makes enough for 6 to 8 people. You can have it on the table in as little as 55 minutes. Just follow the steps below.
Step 1 Prep
Choose the sauté function on the Instant Pot. While that is heating up, dice your onions, mince your garlic, and break each lasagna noodle into thirds. Set the noodles aside.
Step 2 Sauté the Meat
Once the Instant Pot is hot on saute mode, add the olive oil. Allow that to heat up. Once the oil is hot, add the ground meat. Break up the meat and brown. This should take about 5 minutes.
Step 3 Mix Sauce
While the meat is cooking, in a bowl, pour in the marinara sauce, the dried Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
Step 4 Sauté the Rest
Once the meat is browned, add the onion and garlic. Stirring occasionally, allow the garlic and onions to cook and soften. Once the garlic and onion is cooked, add in the tomato paste. Stir this well in the meat mixture. The paste should darken. Pour in your marinara sauce (with the seasonings) over the meat. Add 2 cups of water. Stir and make sure to scrape the bottom of the pot from any leftover meat that may have browned.
Step 5 Layer Your Noodles
Taking your noodles that you have broken up into thirds, layer them on the meat mixture, under the water from different directions. This way each noodle will be well distributed for eating, but also, they will cook thoroughly. Once each noodle is in the pot, using your spoon, push down on the noodles enough to submerge under the water. Pour in your remaining 1 cup of water. Stir gently to incorporate everything in your pot. Make sure your noodles are still submerged under the water.
Step 6 Pressure Cook
Then place the lid on your Instant Pot, locking in place. Close the valve and cook under HIGH pressure for 5 minutes. It will take about 12 minutes for it to come to pressure.
Step 7 Get Your Cheese Ready
While this is cooking, in a bowl, mix your parmesan cheese, and cottage cheese together. Shred the mozzarella (it is better to use fresh mozzarella, but you can use pre-shredded mozzarella). Chop the parsley leaves.
Step 8 Natural Release
Once the Instant Pot cook time has completed, allow it to naturally release for 10 minutes. After the 10 minutes, quick release, and wait for existing pressure to release.
Related: Instant Pot Natural Release Vs Quick Release
Step 9 Add Cheese Mixture
Spoon the cottage cheese mixture on top inside the Instant Pot, and then sprinkle the mozzarella cheese. Close the lid and allow it to remain on “warm” for the cheese to melt.
Step 10 Finish it Up and Serve
Garnish with parsley, serve, and enjoy this delicious meal!
Easy Side Ideas
When I make lasagna, I usually like to make garlic bread, breadsticks or some other kind of bread. You can always grab a box from your local grocery, or you can make your own. Here are some easy side recipes to try!
- Garlic Bread Recipe
- Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks
- Homemade French Bread
- Loaded Broccoli Salad
- Avocado Wedge Salad
How to Store Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna
You can store your lazy lasagna in the refrigerator if you have leftovers. Cooked lasagna will keep in your refrigerator for up to five days. Store it in a tightly sealed container or ziplock bag to keep out any excess moisture or containments.
Can You Freeze Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna?
The short answer is yes, you can freeze your cooked lasagna. If you want to freeze it, you will need to put it in a freezer safe container or in a freezer bag. It will keep in the freezer for about 3-months.
Other Lasagna Recipes
Looking for some other lasagna recipes? Here are some of my other favorite lasagna recipes!
Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
5 minutes
Additional Time:
22 minutes
Total Time:
37 minutes
An easy weeknight lasagna that everyone will love!
Ingredients
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 11 dried lasagna noodles
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 24-25 ounce jar of marinara sauce
- 3 cups water(divided. 2 cups, and then 1 cup)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
Instructions
1. Choose the sauté function on the Instant Pot. While that is heating up, dice your onions, mince your garlic, and break each lasagna noodle into thirds. Set the noodles aside.
2. Once the Instant Pot is hot on saute mode, add the olive oil. Allow that to heat up. Once the oil is hot, add the ground meat. Break up the meat and brown. This should take about 5 minutes.
3. While the meat is cooking, in a bowl, pour in the marinara sauce, the dried Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
4. Once the meat is browned, add the onion and garlic. Stirring occasionally, allow the garlic and onions to cook and soften.
5. Once the garlic and onion is cooked, add in the tomato paste. Stir this well in the meat mixture. The paste should darken.
6. Pour in your marinara sauce (with the seasonings) over the meat.
7. Add 2 cups of water.
8. Stir and make sure to scrape the bottom of the pot from any leftover meat that may have browned.
9. Taking your noodles that you have broken up into thirds, layer them on the meat mixture, under the water from different directions. This way each noodle will be well distributed for eating, but also, they will cook thoroughly. Once each noodle is in the pot, using your spoon, push down on the noodles enough to submerge under the water.
10. Pour in your remaining 1 cup of water. Stir gently to incorporate everything in your pot.
11. Make sure your noodles are still submerged under the water. Then place the lid on your Instant Pot, locking in place. Close the valve and cook under HIGH pressure for 5 minutes. It will take about 12 minutes for it to come to pressure.
12. While this is cooking, in a bowl, mix your parmesan cheese, and ricotta cheese together. Shred the mozzarella (it is better to use fresh mozzarella, but you can use pre-shredded mozzarella). Chop the parsley leaves.
13. Once the Instant Pot cook time has completed, allow it to naturally release for 10 minutes. After the 10 minutes, quick release, and wait for existing pressure to release.
14. Spoon the cottage choose mixture on top inside the Instant Pot, and then sprinkle the mozzarella cheese. Close the lid and allow it to remain on “warm” for the cheese to melt.
15. Garnish with parsley, serve, and enjoy this delicious meal!
Don’t have time to make this easy lasagna now? Pin this post to Pinterest so you can easily find it later!
