Today we’re tossing out the rulebook and making homemade lasagna the easy, breezy way. My instant pot lazy lasagna comes together with just 10 simple ingredients (including salt and pepper!!), and it’s ready to grace your table in less than 30 minutes.
Quick & Easy Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna Dinner Recipe
Next time you’re craving a cozy bowlful of yum, this lazy lasagna recipe is the way to go. It’s the perfect easy recipe for busy weeknights when you’re juggling a million things but still crave a cozy, protein-packed (36 grams per serving!), delicious meal for dinner.
Each bite is packed with everything you love about traditional lasagna — lots of cheese, flavorful meat sauce, and tender noodles – without the fuss.
Your instant pot does all the heavy lifting, combining all the mouth-watering comfort food flavors and cooking the pasta to perfection while you take care of literally anything else.
Pressure cooker lasagna FTW!
Why you’ll love this instant pot lazy lasagna recipe
If you’ve been on the lookout for a healthy pasta dish the whole family will love, you can stop your scrolling. Here’s why this Instant Pot lasagna recipe is the perfect meal for a cold night:
Lightening Fast – Pressure cooking is a great way to get dinner on the table in a flash. It’s the easiest way to get all the flavors of lasagna in a fraction of the time, plus it’s a 1-pot meal, so there’s less to wash up when you’re done!
Comfort Food Meets Health Goals – Using lean ground beef and blended cottage cheese instead of traditional ricotta cheese means this easy meal has the perfect balance of protein, carbs, and fat. Each serving gives you 36 grams of protein!
Versatile – This is one of those delicious recipes that is perfect for just about every occasion, from potlucks to a cozy night. Plus, there are a ton of ways for you to customize it (e.g. make it dairy-free, gluten-free, or even vegetarian) to ensure everyone can enjoy the cheesy goodness!
What you need for this easy peasy lasagna recipe
Scroll down to view the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions.
- lean ground beef
- onion
- garlic cloves
- tomato sauce
- italian seasoning
- sea salt
- black pepper
- lasagna noodles
- cottage cheese
- mozzarella cheese
How to make lasagna in the instant pot
Step 1: Turn the instant pot to the SAUTE function. When hot, add the ground beef with a pinch of sea salt and saute until almost fully cooked.
Step 2: Add in the diced onion and garlic and saute for 2 minutes. Next, pour in the can of tomato sauce and seasonings. Stir to combine and cancel the SAUTE function.
Step 3: Break the lasagna noodles into pieces and add to the meat sauce. Stir to combine, then add 2-2.5 cups of water (you want it to just barely cover the noodles – too much will turn it into soup). Stir and press the noodles down as much as possible.
Step 4: Cook on MANUAL high pressure for 4 minutes, then do a quick release once done. Stir and allow the lasagna to rest and the liquid to absorb for 5-10 minutes while you prepare the toppings.
Step 5: Blend the cottage cheese with an immersion blender or in a blender with 1/3 cup water to thin it until smooth. Have the shredded cheese ready to go.
Step 6: Now serve up your lasagna! Spoon onto a plate or in a bowl, add the blended cottage cheese, mozzarella, freshly minced fresh basil, and shredded parmesan cheese!
PS – Want to turn this into instant pot lasagna soup? Double the amount of water and enjoy classic lasagna in soup form!
Watch me make it!
The full how to video can be watched below, or on my YouTube channel!
Serving Suggestions
As a busy mom, I’m always on the lookout for simple yet scrumptious ways to round out a meal. The goal is to keep things stress-free and enjoyable so I can enjoy more family time. Here are some easy, kid-friendly ideas to make your lasagna night extra special:
- Garlic whole grain focaccia bread: Is there anything more heavenly than the aroma of garlic bread wafting through the house? I like to pop a tray of garlic bread in the oven just as the lasagna is finishing up in the Instant Pot. It’s the perfect side to sop up all that delicious sauce. Plus, kids absolutely love it!
- Simple Side Salad: To add a fresh element to the meal, I often toss together a quick salad. Something as simple as mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a sprinkle of your favorite cheese, drizzled with a light vinaigrette or homemade ranch, does wonders. It’s a great way to sneak in those veggies and balances the richness of the lasagna beautifully.
- Steamed Vegetables: For a super easy and healthy side, I’ll steam some broccoli, carrots, or green beans. It’s a great way to use up whatever veggies are hanging out in the fridge or freezer. Plus, steamed veggies are a cinch to prepare, which is always a win in my book. Not a fan of steamed vegetables? Try my roasted broccoli and carrots recipe for a great option!
Recipe Success Tips
As someone who’s made this recipe for lazy lasagna more times than I can count, I’ve learned a few tricks to help you nail it every time:
- Forgot to defrost your ground meat? No worries! You have two options: the fastest way is to use your microwave ‘defrost’ setting – just break the meat apart a few times during the defrosting process to ensure it thaws evenly. Alternatively, you can seal the meat in a leak-proof plastic bag and submerge it in cold water for 30-45 minutes.
- Be careful not to add too much liquid. Unlike traditional cooking, the Instant Pot doesn’t allow for much evaporation, so excess liquid can turn your lovely lasagna into a soup! Stick to the recipe measurements and remember that the moisture from the sauce and cheese will also contribute to the overall liquid in the dish.
- Say cheese! To get that irresistible, gooey, cheesy layer (without the fuss of layering!), add your cheeses as a garnish at the end. Spoon a generous amount of whipped cottage cheese on top of each bowl, then sprinkle on your mozzarella. Let it melt from the residual heat, or put it under a broiler for a couple of minutes if you want a slightly browned, bubbly top. YUM!
Can I make it in a slow cooker or crock pot?
You can absolutely make lasagna in the slow cooker too. Once the meat is browned, simply add the remaining ingredients that would go into the instant pot in your crockpot.
Cook on high for 2-3 hours, or until the noodles are softened. Serve as the recipe directions state!
How should I store leftovers?
I like to dish out individual portions of this Instant Pot lasagna pasta into airtight containers, top them with the cheese and cottage cheese, then pop them in the fridge for up to 5 days.
That way, individual servings are ready to grab and pack into lunch boxes or heat up whenever the craving strikes.
Substitutions, optional variations & dietary adjustments
Everyone deserves to enjoy the yummy taste of lasagna, regardless of your dietary needs or preferences. Here are some easy variations to make this easy lasagna recipe a perfect fit for your dinner table.
If you try something different out, please leave a comment below letting us all know how it turned out!
- Dairy-Free: To enjoy this lasagna without dairy, simply swap out the mozzarella and cottage cheese for your favorite dairy-free alternatives.
- Vegetarian: Making this lasagna vegetarian is a breeze. Replace the ground beef with a mix of hearty mushrooms and spinach. You could also use plant-based meat crumbles if you’re craving a meaty texture or swap in cooked brown lentils!
- Gluten-Free: For all my celiac buddies out there, gluten-free noodles work wonderfully in this recipe (I used jovial’s brown rice lasagna noodles and they are fantastic!). Just ensure they’re fully submerged in the pasta sauce before closing your Instant Pot to guarantee perfectly cooked, non-mushy noodles. If you can find them, mini lasagna noodles work here too!
- Red Meat-Free: If you’re not a fan of red meat, you can easily substitute it with Italian sausage, ground turkey, or chicken for a lighter version of this dish that is every bit as satisfying.
More easy instant pot recipes you’ll love
- Instant pot chicken stir fry
- Instant pot jerk chicken bowls
- Instant pot stuffed pepper soup
- Instant pot broccoli cheddar soup
Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna Dinner Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- 1 tsp italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 9 oz lasagna noodles
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
Instructions
- Turn the instant pot to the SAUTE function. When hot, add the ground beef with a pinch of sea salt and saute until almost fully cooked.
- Add in the diced onion and garlic and saute for 2 minutes. Next, pour in the can of tomato sauce and seasonings. Stir to combine and cancel the SAUTE function.
- Break the lasagna noodles into pieces and add to the meat sauce. Stir to combine, then add 2-2.5 cups of water (you want it to just barely cover the noodles – too much will turn it into soup). Stir and press the noodles down as much as possible.
- Cook on MANUAL high pressure for 4 minutes, then do a quick release once done. Stir and allow the lasagna to rest and the liquid to absorb for 5-10 minutes while you prepare the toppings.
- Blend the cottage cheese with an immersion blender or in a blender with ⅓ cup water to thin it until smooth. Have the shredded cheese ready to go.
- Now serve up your lasagna! Spoon onto a plate or in a bowl, add the blended cottage cheese, mozzarella, freshly minced basil, and shredded parmesan cheese!
Nutrition
If you try this instant pot lasagna recipe, I’d love it if you left a star rating and comment below letting me know how it turned out!
XO
Heather
Originally published January 2024. Updated January 2025.
4 comments
YUM!! What a great idea — I love lasagna but rarely have the time to make it. This was so simple and easy. My husband doesn’t do cottage cheese, so I subbed whole milk ricotta and it was still super tasty!
Love your substitute! Glad it was a winner for you and the family!
OHMYGOSH this is BRILLIANT! I love that I can get all the nom-nom flavor of lasagna without the hassle of layering or waiting for it to bake. This is a keeper!
Woohoo, glad you loved it Ashley! thanks for coming here to share! 🙂