If you are in the mood for some tasty Italian pasta, make Instant Pot Lasagna! Who knew it would be so easy to make lasagna in a pressure cooker? You don’t have to boil the noodles first, so that’s a win in my book! This pressure cooker lasagna tastes wonderful and you can add any of your favorite ingredients!
Instant Pot Lasagna
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. He does a lot of chopping, and I wanted a 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.
Then there was the sauce. Well, he uses a jarred sauce, so I decided to use my favorite jarred marinara sauce in this pressure cooker lasagna. Perfect! The Instant Pot Lasagna was coming together nicely! Here’s how I made it:
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.
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 1/3 of the sauce, 1/2 of the meat, then 1/2 of the cheese mixture, and the spinach.
Start again with another layer of noodles, 1/3 sauce, 1/2 of the meat, 1/2 cheese mixture.
Then noodles, sauce, and top cheese layer.
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 time to 22 minutes. Let it naturally release for 10-15 minutes.
Broil the top to brown the cheese.
Broiling is an optional step, and you can brown the cheese as much as you like.
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″.
Enjoy the delicious Instant Pot Lasagna!
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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.
- 1/2 lb Lean Ground Beef (85% to 90% lean) You can use all ground beef
- 1/2 lb Ground Italian Sausage (you can use all sausage)
- 1/2 tsp Coarse Salt (1/4 tsp table salt)
- 1/4 tsp Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese (or Cottage Cheese)
- 1 Egg
- 1/2 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
- 2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Oregano
- 1/2 tsp Salt (if your pasta sauce is salty, decrease to 1/4 tsp)
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
- 1/4 cup Chopped Fresh Parsley
- 1 24oz jar Pasta Sauce (about 3 cups) (I prefer marinara, or use your favorite brand)
- 1/2 cup Chopped Spinach Leaves, optional (fresh, or frozen, thawed)
- 5-6 No Boil Lasagna Noodles (or regular uncooked lasagna noodles)
- 1/2 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
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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.
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Remove meat, drain, and set aside. Clean out pot and add 1 1/2 cups water to it.
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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.
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In a 7" x 3" 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.
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Spread 1/3 of the pasta sauce over the noodles, covering them all.
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Spread 1/2 of the meat mixture over the sauce evenly.
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Spread 1/2 of the cheese mixture evenly over the meat.
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Sprinkle the spinach (if using) over the cheese mixture evenly.
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Add another layer of noodles, press down on them a little.
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Add another layer of 1/3 of the sauce.
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Add the second half of the meat.
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Add the second half of the cheese mixture.
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Add another layer of noodles, the last 1/3 of sauce, 1/2 cup of mozzarella, and 1/2 cup of parmesan.
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Spray a piece of foil with nonstick spray and lightly cover the pan with the foil, enough that water can't get in.
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Set the pan on a trivet with handles and lift them into the inner pot that has 1 1/2 cups of water in it. You can also use a sling to set the pan on the trivet in the pot.
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Close the lid and lock in place. Turn the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
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Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button (or dial) and choose 22 minutes. It will take about 5 minutes or so for the pot to come to pressure.
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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.
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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.
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Carefully remove the foil. Turn on your broiler to 450° with the oven rack in the middle to top 1/3 position in the oven.
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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!
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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.
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Carefully (pan and lasagna very hot) release the lasagna from the springform pan while it is on a plate.
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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.
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Serve with salad and some crusty bread!
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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Hi Shelise, you do need the inner pan on a rack with water underneath. The lasagna is too thick and the pot needs thin liquid to make the steam that builds up the pressure.
Sandy, you really should adjust the “Total Time” listed to include the 15-minute natural release. The 59 minutes listed is misleading.
Hi Debbie. I tried to be generous on the times. 25 minutes to assemble it, 22 minutes cook time, 15 minute pressure release. So I upped it a few minutes. It was only a couple minutes off as I did include NPR as part of the total time. I state in the recipe that it will take around 5 minutes or so to come to pressure. It’s different for everyone as they may be using a different size pot, or may be at a higher altitude, etc.
I don’t know much about instapot inserts. It looks like you are using something other than the Instapot itself. Can you tell me more about that and how to use it?
Hi Ruth! If you go to the search bar on this website and search accessories, you will find my post with the ones I use for what we call Pot-in-Pot cooking. You have water in the stainless pot. Then a trivet/rack. Then set the pan with the lasagna in it on the trivet/rack. The water is below the pan, not touching it. The water will heat up and create the steam necessary to build the pressure for the pressure cooking. I hope I explained it okay. You are welcome to join my beginners Facebook group and ask all kinds of questions and get wonderful recipes from many different people as well: https://www.facebook.com/groups/158261157915716/
Thank you! I will definitely look into the Facebook group. I’m learning so much!
Did you just use a spring form pan? Can you use an oven safe baking dish on the trivet?
Hi Cyndee, I have used both a springform and a push pan. If you have neither of those, most oven safe cooking dishes will work. Glass ones increase the cooking time by a few minutes, metal, keep it the same. Please check with the maker of the dish to make sure it is pressure cooker safe, just to be sure!
Is this recipe okay to make and freeze before you put it in the Instantpot?
Hi Andrea, I haven’t tried freezing and then cooking this lasagna in the IP. I think it would have to be frozen in the PIP pan so it keeps the shape. It may need to cook a few minutes longer. I also wonder if you could just cook it, then freeze it and reheat on the steam setting. Hmmm.
Ohhhhh…. good idea! I’ll keep you posted on our results!
If you froze it in the springform pan, then released it, you could pop it back into the springform pan for reheating.
So smart!
If you use a push pan do you need to wrap the bottom of the pan in foil to keep from leaking? If yes, does that alter the cooking time at all? I’m still a newbie to IP cooking.
Hi Dawn, I have never wrapped my pan. Maybe a tiny bit comes out, but not enough to make me go through the extra step of wrapping. Having said that, it will depend on the quality of the pan. Try it without first.
Great! Thanks so much for the reply, Sandy. I bought the Fat Daddio pans I’ve been seeing recommended all over the place. I used it recently for an egg dish and wrapped it for fear of leakage. It did leak some in the foil, but I suspect it was also the reason my dish wasn’t done in the time suggested. Still learning!
So how much longer for you think if you put a fail underneath to catch the drippings
Hi Marie, if you mean foil on the outside of the pan, in case it leaks, I wouldn’t add any time unless you wrap it up really good. Then maybe 5 minutes.
Could you substitute cottage cheese for the ricotta?
Yes you can!
I’m concerned about not putting the sauce in the meat and using the meat as a dry layer. I make an amaxing lasagna in the oven (if I do say so myself) so I’ve been reluctant to try it in the IP because it doesn’t seem saucy enough. Have you ever tried mixing the sauce and meat together, combining a step?
Hi Kim, I know what you mean. That would be a good workaround. I think adding sauce to the meat would be good, and maybe a little more sauce as this is not a real saucy lasagna. I also mix the sauce and meat when I make it in the oven. Please let me know how yours turns out.
I mixed the meat, sauce and spinach together. It turned out great! I also use an oven safe crock dish and have had good luck with this and other PIP recipes.
Thank you for posting your outcome!
Do you use the short trivet or the tall trivet. ?
I used the short trivet with handles. The one that came with my pot.
Thank you for sharing this recipe. It sounds amazing. Could you use a 6×3 Fat Daddio’s pan? If so, do you need to alter the cook time? Thanks!
Hi Sarah, yes you can use a 6×3 pan. You might have a little filling left, or a tall lasagna!
I don’t have anything except my instant pot and the trivet, any way to still make this?
Hi Jasmine, you will need some kind of oven safe dish/pan. Do you have a cake pan, or anything oven safe? It will be to thick to bring the pot to pressure if it is directly in the pot, I’m afraid.
Is this quicker than lasagna in the oven? I’ve not made anything like this in the IP before. What size IP did you use? We have the 8 qt.
It’s a little quicker, not a lot.
You really should notify people that they need an extra insert for their Instant Pot before making this recipe. Generally when people look up a recipe such as this they assume they will only need to purchase the ingredients. When you do not notify them that they will have to have some extra saucepan that does not come with the Instant Pot until the very end of your article it makes for a pretty lousy lasagna. Perhaps next time list the items need before the ingredients so someone else isn’t let down by your lack of information
Hi Derek. I appreciate your comment. The first of the step-by-step photos shows the springform pan. The photos of the assembly of the lasagna all show the pan, and the size of the pan is mentioned in the instruction notes, and as the first step for ‘Make the Lasagna’. There is also a photo of the finished lasagna still in the pan, sitting next to the Instant Pot. I recommend reading any recipe before you attempt it as there could be an ingredient you will need to substitute, or other modification you may need to make. I would never attempt a recipe without reading it first. Also, I outlined clearly in my article how to assemble the lasagna (with several photos), so if you saw it you would know the extra pan is needed well before you get to the recipe card. Having said that, I will take your complaint into consideration and look for opportunities to improve the instructions. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Wow, Derek…someone’s grumpy! Did you not read the name of this website before you went on the attack? It’s a recipe. Most people read through an entire recipe, including instructions, before starting. This lasagna was AMAZING, by the way! Thank you for sharing it!! 🙂
Hi Suzanne, I’m so glad you liked the lasagna! Thank you for your review.
Derek, first rule of cooking from any recipe is to read the recipe completely to make sure you have all necessary ingredients AND tools to complete the recipe. Why attack the writer because you didn’t use due diligence? See, I read the whole thing and realized I need a bigger pan before I attempt this recipe, easy peasy.
What modifications should I make in the recipe if I use regular lasagna noodles as opposed to the no boil noodles
Hi Bonnie, from what people who have done this are telling me, they do not change anything! If you want to be safe, you can soak them in some hot water for a while first.
Just to clarify, are you saying people have made it using regular lasagna noodles without boiling them first?
Hi Joan, yes. I have people telling me that all the time!
Hi Bonnie I used no boil noodles and they were very tough. Any ideas as to what went wrong?
Going to make the recipe and my spring form pan is very tight. I thought it was a 7 by 3 but it may be a 8 x 3 ? Is this an issue
Hi Brittani, as long as there is space around the pan for the steam to circulate, and you can safely get it out of the pot (a sling is good, or a rack w/handles), then you should be okay.
Could this be done using two 7 by 2 inch pans at once? Right now, 7 by 3 inch pans are not available. The darker pan in your links goes to a 7 by 2 pan.
Hi Lori, if you use two 7×2 pans, you may need to have enough ingredients for an additional layer (or lots more cheese! But it will be pretty cheesy).
I love not having to cook the lasagna noodles, so instead of lasagna noodles, I use wonton wrappers. It’s like fresh pasta and it works great.
Hi Mary, that’s interesting! Thanks for the tip! I also like not having to cook the pasta!
Just found your recipe while searching for a pasta pie to make in our Instant Pot. Ohhhhhhhh this looks and sounds good. I made an omelette this morning with the stackable pans I received for Christmas. Love love easy and delish recipes. “My” Paul makes the best lasagna and he is slowing learning the Instant Pot way of cooking. I use it all the time. Will show him your recipe. Thank you for posting! Paul and Javi from Missouri
Hi Javi! I love it, both of our Pauls make great lasagna! Well please say hi from me, and I hope you enjoy the lasagna!
I have made this recipe 2 weeks in a row now and plan on keeping it in my recipes rotation. I use the Daddio cheesecake pan you mention in this post and love it! My teen son loves this dish so much that I have to limit him to 2 pieces otherwise I know he would eat half of the pan or more himself.
Wow Sara, that’s awesome that you all like this so much! Those teen boys sure can eat! My son is almost 25 and still wants thirds! Thank you for your review!
I just made this for dinner tonight. Even though I forgot the middle layer of noodles (sigh), it still turned out wonderful, maybe just a bit loose. Hubby liked it and he is extremely picky. Made it without the spinach for him. He will eat fresh spinach for a salad but not cooked. Thanks so much Sandy. So far a l your recipes rock!
Hi Linda, I’m happy that you liked this lasagna! Thanks so much for your review!
I would love to make this recipe. I have a 3 qt. IP. What should I use for the pan to make the lasagna in?
Hi Patsy, if you have a 6″x3″ pan or oven safe dish, that will fit perfectly!
This is a great recipe! I used a Fat Daddio 6×3 pan (accidentally got the regular cake pan instead of push pan) and a foil sling with the trivet, and everything worked just fine.
The only changes I made were no spinach (didn’t have), and dried basil and oregano instead of Italian seasoning. I didn’t mix the sauce with the meat (which I usually do), but layered exactly like you instructed. It was probably the best lasagna my husband and I have had. Thanks so much for the recipe—I’m making it again tonight. 🙂
Hi Deanna! So awesome! I’m thrilled that you and your hubby liked this lasagna recipe! Thank you so much for the review!
you mentioned a “sling” for removing pans from
IP, is this something you improvised (made of what?) or something yon need to buy?
Hi Terry, I added a photo and description of the sling to the lasagna post. I hope that helps!
I’m planning to make it my Crockpot today. Do you have any idea how long it would take to cook in it? and I’m assuming I wouldn’t need to place another dish inside it because you can set the ingredients in the crockpot cooking insert. Am I right?
Hi Marie, I would cook it in the crock pot for 4 to 6 hours on low setting. Enjoy!
Hi!
Wondering if I can make this recipe and put it in the oven instead of the IP? If so , how long would you cook in the oven?
Thanks 🙂
Hi, yes you can. We bake ours from 40 to 60 minutes at 350, depending on how thick it is. Leave yourself some extra time in case you need to add a few minutes.
Hi Sandy, came across your lasagna recipe and was quite surprised in using a pan inside your instapot. I so. Love mine and will try this in my spring form pan. I may try the wonton wraps as suggested by one of your readers as I don’t like the no cook noodles. So glad I came across this and am excited to try it. I will join your Facebook page and post a pic to show you how it turned out. Thanks for sharing.
Just made this for dinner. Followed the recipe exactly. It was so delicious and easy. Much easier than regular recipe. Thanks so much for posting.
Hi Karen, glad to know that this lasagna recipe worked for you! We love making it this way now! Thanks for your review!
Do you need to throw it in the oven?
Hi Jason, nope. Some folks like the cheese to get browned.
Sandy – I have the ekovana Stackable Stainless Steamer Insert Pans. Would I put both pans in the IP with the lasagna only in the top pan? Or just use one of the pans on top of a trivet? I would imagine that a double batch (one in each pan) would be too dense? Can’t wait to try this recipe. Thank you!
Hi Patty, you can use just one pan on a trivet. I haven’t tried it stacked, but I imagine the bottom pan would get a bit hotter as it is closer to the heating element. But it may work just fine!
Thank you for replying so quickly!
I am an extreme newby, only just received my springform 6×3…
I’m thinking of turning a metal round empty cake pan upside down on trivet, then springform on top.
You think I should use foil on open side of cake pan? I’m kinda short on funds, can use foil sling to lift but worried about needing that tower level. Thanks
Hi Terri, If I’m understanding what you are asking, you have the trivet, and a 6×3 pan, and foil. You won’t need the other cake pan. If your trivet has handles, use them to get the 6×3 pan of lasagna in and out of the pot. Yes, cover the top of the 6×3 with foil, sprayed with cooking spray (or greased with oil or butter, so the cheese won’t stick. I hope that clears it up for you. Please let me know if you have any other questions, or if I didn’t get it correct!
I’m loving your instapot recipes, I made the American Goulash and the gang loved it! My smallest springform is 9″ leaving about 1/4″ around the pan inside the instapot. I do have a 8″ cake pan with 2″ sides. Which do you suggest for this recipe?
Hi Kathy, I’m glad you are liking my recipes! I think 1/4″ around the pan is enough, and make sure you use a sling or something to get it out.
Hi, thanks for a yummy recipe! I used gluten-free oven-ready lasagna sheets as an experiment (Target brand, Simply Balanced) and they worked great. I cooked for 30 minutes with the 15 min release, and I’ve found it’s important to put ample sauce on each layer of gluten-free pasta sheet to make sure it softens up enough during cooking. Posted this just in case anyone is looking for a gluten-free option. 🙂
That’s great, Susan. So the gluten free noodles need to cook longer? Thank you fo ryour review!
Hi new instapot owner, enjoyed reading your info looking forward to trying this! Trying to be a better cook! Thanks
Hi Sandy,
Made this for the first time for Sunday dinner, it was terrific.
I’ve been cooking for decades (using stove top pressure cookers and slow cookers), and using an IP since January This is one more example of why the IP is a superior kitchen appliance.
I didn’t use the spinach, and went with 8 oz. ricotta cheese, and used 1 lb Italian sausage, but otherwise followed the recipe.
Hi Robert! I’m so glad you liked it! I love hearing from experienced pressure cookers! I agree about the IP being superior! Thank you so much for your review!
I made this tonite. Left out the spinach, it looked good and tasted so good. But it was a mess when I moved the outer push up pan. I let it sit and cool even, not sure what happened. Maybe the sauce I used wasn’t thick enough? It was excellent, though!
I made this tonight and added a layer of pepperoni on top of the sauce layers, under the Italian sausage. (I used all sausage, no beef) It tasted like pizza and that was awesome for my 3 and a half year old son! I do not have a springform or push pan, so I used the 7×3 Fat Daddies cake pan. You can’t reveal the layers on a platter for a nice photo, but that does not make it any less delicious!
Best lasagna I have made in the pressure cooker to date and this won’t be the last time for this recipe.
Thanks for sharing.
That’s great! I’m so glad you liked this lasagna recipe! Thank you for your review!
This lasagna was great! I was a bit skeptical because it was so easy to make. I decided to try it and it was very tasty! My husband loved it and I was so pleased that it included spinach in the recipe as I love spinach.
Hi Dixie! I love when my recipes are husband approved, lol! Thank you for your review, and I’m so happy that you both enjoyed it!
Probably a silly question, but I read the recipe and I’m not sure. Our Publix didn’t have no-boil lasagna noodle, so I got regular ones as the recipe suggested. Do I boil them before I make this or not? I’m afraid that if I do they will be really mushy. Maybe al-dente? Or no boiling at all?
Hi Bonnie, you don’t need to boil them first. The feedback I’ve had is that they work just fine going in uncooked!
Thank you!!
I loved this lasagna! It was so much easier to make than I thought it would be. Making it in my Instant Pot was nice because it’s getting hot here in Utah and I didn’t have to turn on my oven! Thank you for the wonderful recipe!
Hi Joy! Thank you so much for your review! I love not having to turn on the oven when it gets hot, but still being able to cook lasagna! BTW, I love Utah, we went there recently and saw the Bryce Canyon. Wow!
Do you have to grease the pan at all? This sounds so easy & tasty! Not turning on the oven in this very hot weather would be great!
Hi Brandi! You got that right! No oven in the summer! Thank goodness for the IP! You don’t have to grease it, but I think it isn’t a bad idea. Just give the pan a quick spray.