Instant Pot Lasagna Casserole Recipe (Quick and Easy)
If you love the cozy flavors of homemade lasagna but do not have time for all the layering and baking, this quick and easy instant pot lasagna casserole recipe is about to become your new favorite dinner. It has all the rich, cheesy goodness of traditional lasagna with tender noodles, savory meat sauce, and lots of melted mozzarella cheese, but it comes together in a fraction of the time.
This lazy lasagna recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you need a comforting meal on the dinner table fast. Thanks to pressure cooking, you can skip the long bake time and still enjoy all the classic flavors of lasagna your whole family loves.
Whether this is your first recipe in the Instant Pot or you are already obsessed with easy instant pot recipes, this pressure cooker lasagna is simple, hearty, and incredibly delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Lasagna Casserole Recipe
- Made with simple ingredients
- No need to boil noodles first
- Ready in about 30 minutes
- Perfect for meal prep
- Packed with ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese
- Great recipe for busy weeknights
- Easy cleanup with only one pot
This instant pot lasagna casserole tastes like homemade lasagna without all the work. It is truly the perfect meal when you want comfort food fast.
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Tips for the Best Instant Pot Lasagna Recipe
- Deglaze the Pot Well– One of the most important steps is scraping the bottom of the instant pot after browning the meat. Any stuck-on brown bits can trigger a burn notice.
- Use Enough Liquid– Pressure cooking pasta requires enough water. If the casserole seems dry before cooking, add a little bit more liquid.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta– Lasagna noodles continue softening during the natural release, so avoid adding extra cook time unless necessary.
Try Different Pasta Shapes
This easy lasagna recipe also works with:
- Mafalda noodles
- Mafalda pasta
- Bow tie pasta
- Gluten-free pasta
- Mini lasagna noodles
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but regular noodles tend to hold up better in pressure cooker lasagna recipes.
I use my 8 quart but a 6 quart pot works well for this recipe too.
Yes. Let it cool completely and freeze in a casserole dish or freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Usually this happens when food sticks to the bottom of the pan. Make sure you scrape the bottom of the pot well after browning the meat.
Ingredients for Lasagna Casserole
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 24 ounces marinara sauce or pasta sauce
- 3 cups beef broth
- 12 ounces bowtie noodles
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish
Tools You May Need
- Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart or 8 quart pot
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups
- Airtight container for leftovers
How to Make Instant Pot Lasagna Casserole
Step 1: Brown the Meat
Turn the Instant Pot to the saute function or saute setting. Add the olive oil to the inner pot and let it heat for about 1 minute.
Add the ground meat and diced onion. Cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking up the meat mixture with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Stir often until the meat is browned and the onions are soft.
Add the garlic, italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
If there are brown bits stuck to the bottom of the instant pot, pour in a small splash of water and scrape the bottom of the pot well. This helps prevent a burn notice during pressure cooking.
Step 2: Add Sauce and Noodles
Pour in the marinara sauce and beef broth. Stir everything together well.
Add in your pasta of choice. Make sure the noodles are mostly covered with liquid so they cook evenly.
Do not stir too much after adding the pasta. Keeping the noodles submerged helps avoid sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Step 3: Pressure Cook
Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to sealing.
Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
Once the cook time is complete, allow a natural release for 10 minutes before doing a controlled quick release of the pressure.
Carefully open the lid once the pressure pin drops.
Step 4: Add the Cheese
The noodles should be tender and coated in rich sauce.
Add the ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Stir gently until creamy and combined.
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top. Place the lid loosely back on for a few minutes so the shredded cheese melts beautifully.
Top with fresh basil before serving.
What to Serve with Instant Pot Lasagna Casserole
This delicious meal pairs perfectly with:
- Garlic bread
- Caesar salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Air fryer broccoli
- Fresh fruit
The cheesy pasta and rich tomato sauce make it a comforting dinner everyone loves.
Variations
- Italian Sausage Version- Swap the ground beef for italian sausage for extra flavor.
- Cottage Cheese Substitute- Not a fan of ricotta cheese? Use all cottage cheese instead.
- Extra Cheesy- Add even more mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese if you love lots of cheese.
- Crock Pot Version- You can adapt this recipe for the crock pot, though the Instant Pot makes it much faster.
Instant Pot Lasagna Casserole Recipe♡
Instant Pot Lasagna Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 pound sweet italian sausage
- 1 small onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 24 ounces marinara sauce or pasta sauce
- 3 cups beef broth
- 12 ounces bowtie noodles
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Turn the Instant Pot to the saute setting. Add the olive oil and allow it to heat for about 1 minute.
- Add the ground beef, sausage and diced onion to the inner pot. Cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking the meat apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks, until browned and fully cooked.
- Stir in the minced garlic, italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Carefully scrape the bottom of the instant pot to loosen any brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. This helps prevent a burn notice during pressure cooking.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and beef broth. Stir until combined.
- Add pasta, making sure the noodles are mostly covered, but avoid excessive stirring.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
- Once the cook time ends, allow a natural release for 10 minutes. Then carefully perform a controlled quick release of the remaining pressure.
- Open the lid and stir the pasta gently. The noodles should be tender and coated in sauce.
- Add the ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Stir until creamy and fully combined.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top. Place the lid loosely over the pot for 2–3 minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
- Garnish with fresh basil and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute italian sausage for more ground beef if preferred.
- Mafalda noodles, mini lasagna noodles, or any medium sized pasta also work well in this recipe.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- The casserole may look a little soupy at first, but it thickens as it sits for several minutes after cooking.
- This recipe works in a 8 quart Instant Pot.
This quick and easy instant pot lasagna casserole recipe is the perfect shortcut meal when you want all the comforting flavors of lasagna without the labor of love that comes with traditional lasagna.
With tender noodles, creamy ricotta cheese, savory marinara sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese, this easy instant pot lasagna is guaranteed to become a regular at your dinner table.
It is cozy, filling, family-friendly, and one of the best instant pot recipes for busy weeknights.
