Description
Comfort meets convenience in this Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna, where layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, and melted cheese come together effortlessly. Quick preparation and minimal cleanup make this hearty Italian-inspired dish perfect for hungry families seeking a delicious weeknight meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound lean ground beef or ground Italian sausage
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
Liquid and Sauce Ingredients:
- 3 cups (710 milliliters) chicken broth
- 22 ounces (650 milliliters) marinara sauce
- 1 (15 ounces / 425 grams) can diced tomatoes
Pasta:
- 10–12 ounces (280–340 grams) short Mafalda pasta
Cheese:
- 1 cup (240 grams) ricotta cheese
- 1 cup freshly grated mozzarella cheese
Seasonings:
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- A few turns freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish (Optional):
- Fresh parsley
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Fire up the Instant Pot’s sauté mode and allow it to heat. Introduce ground meat, seasoning with salt and pepper, fragmenting the protein while cooking until it approaches doneness.
- Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic, continuing to sauté until vegetables soften and release their aromatic essence. Eliminate excess rendered fat if necessary.
- Neutralize the sauté function and splash a small quantity of broth into the pot. Utilize a flexible spatula to liberate caramelized remnants adhering to the vessel’s base.
- Cascade remaining broth, marinara sauce, and diced tomatoes into the pot. Sprinkle a medley of herbs and spices – basil, parsley, onion powder, oregano, and red pepper flakes – creating a robust flavor profile.
- Strategically arrange uncooked pasta sheets across the liquid landscape, gently submerging them without disrupting the underlying sauce. Maintain a strict no-stirring policy during this phase.
- Secure the Instant Pot’s lid, positioning the valve to sealing configuration. Activate high-pressure cooking for precisely four minutes, understanding the total pressurization process requires approximately fifteen minutes.
- Execute a measured quick pressure release, gradually venting to prevent splattering. Once unsealed, thoroughly integrate ricotta cheese throughout the mixture.
- Generously crown the lasagna with mozzarella, positioning the lid ajar to facilitate gentle melting.
- Conclude by adorning with fresh parsley and optional Parmesan shavings. Serve immediately while piping hot, reveling in this effortless culinary creation.
Notes
- Customize meat selection by using ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier version.
- Remove red pepper flakes for kid-friendly spice levels or add extra for heat lovers.
- Always break pasta noodles to ensure they’re fully submerged and cook evenly in the liquid.
- Use fresh herbs instead of dried for a more vibrant, garden-fresh flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes (plus pressure time)
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg