Description
This easy one-pot lasagna is the ultimate lazy day dinner! Made with ground beef or sausage, mini lasagna noodles, marinara sauce, and two kinds of cheese, it delivers all the comforting flavors of classic lasagna with minimal effort. Using the Instant Pot, this dish comes together in just 34 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb lean ground beef or ground Italian sausage
- 1/4 tsp salt
- A few turns freshly ground black pepper
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups chicken broth (or water, adjust salt as needed)
- 22 oz jar marinara sauce (2 3/4 cups)
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 10–12 oz short Mafalda pasta (mini lasagna noodles) See Notes
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
- 1 cup freshly grated mozzarella cheese
- Optional garnish: Fresh parsley, Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Sauté the meat: Turn on the Sauté function on the Instant Pot. When the screen says “hot,” add ground beef or sausage, season with salt and pepper, and cook until nearly done, breaking it into pieces. Add onion and garlic; cook until softened. Drain grease if needed.
- Deglaze the pot: Turn off Sauté, add a small amount of broth, and use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Layer the ingredients: Add the remaining broth, followed by marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, basil, parsley, onion powder, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Evenly layer the pasta on top and gently push it down so it’s partially submerged. Do not stir.
- Pressure cook: Close the lid, set the vent to sealing, and cook on Manual High Pressure for 4 minutes (it will take ~15 minutes to reach pressure).
- Release pressure: Do a controlled quick release (release a little at a time to avoid splatter). Open the lid, stir, then mix in ricotta cheese.
- Melt the cheese: Top with mozzarella cheese, set the lid askew, and let the cheese melt for a few minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and Parmesan, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Use 10 oz pasta for a saucier lasagna or 12 oz for a thicker texture.
- Other pasta options: Rotini, bowtie, or broken lasagna sheets. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 463
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 51g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 55mg