Description
Comfort meets convenience in this Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna, a quick and delicious meal that simplifies Italian cuisine. Layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, and melted cheese come together effortlessly, promising a satisfying dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
Pasta and Starches:
- 1 box (16 ounces) penne pasta
Seasonings, Herbs, and Sauces:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion (finely diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 jar (24-26 ounces) traditional pasta sauce
- 3 cups water
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
Cheese:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in the Instant Pot using Sauté mode. Brown ground beef with onion and garlic, seasoning with salt and pepper until meat is fully crumbled and no longer pink.
- Deactivate Sauté function and drain any excess fat from the meat mixture.
- Pour pasta sauce over the beef, incorporating basil, Italian seasoning, and parsley. Add water and stir thoroughly to create a cohesive sauce.
- Distribute uncooked penne pasta evenly across the sauce, gently pressing down to ensure pasta is submerged but not stirred.
- Secure the Instant Pot lid, set valve to Sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes. Allow approximately 10 minutes for the pot to build pressure.
- After cooking, permit a natural release for 5-10 minutes depending on desired pasta texture: shorter time for firmer pasta, longer for softer consistency.
- Perform a quick release, then open the lid and mix contents completely.
- Fold ricotta and Parmesan cheese into the hot mixture, stirring until cheese melts and integrates smoothly.
- Plate immediately, garnishing with additional Parmesan or fresh herbs if preferred. Serve piping hot.
Notes
- Customize the pasta texture by adjusting the natural release time, ensuring perfectly cooked noodles every time.
- Drain excess beef fat for a lighter, less greasy dish that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
- Experiment with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a healthier protein option that still delivers robust taste.
- Use gluten-free penne to make this recipe celiac-friendly without sacrificing the classic lasagna comfort.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20–23 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg