Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna – Easy One-Pot Comfort Food with Ricotta and Pasta Sauce

If you want all the cheesy, saucy comfort of lasagna but none of the layering or oven time, this Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna is your dream dinner. It’s fast, family-friendly, and unbelievably satisfying—no springform pan or oven required!

We’re talking penne pasta, rich marinara, melted ricotta and parmesan—all pressure-cooked to perfection in one pot. Perfect for busy nights, picky eaters, or when you’re craving lasagna without the effort.

Why You’ll Love This Lazy Lasagna Recipe

• True lasagna flavor without the prep
• Done in about 30 minutes total
• Cheesy, saucy, cozy—the ultimate comfort food
• Perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or casual guests
• One-pot cleanup thanks to the Instant Pot

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 jar (24–26 oz) pasta sauce
• 3 cups water
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• ½ tsp salt (extra)
• 1 box (16 oz) penne pasta
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Try instant pot lazy lasagna with ricotta cheese or cottage cheese—both work beautifully.

How to Make Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna

1. Sauté the Beef

In the Instant Pot, add olive oil, beef, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Press SAUTÉ and cook until the beef is no longer pink. Turn off sauté mode and drain excess grease.

2. Add Sauce & Water

Stir in the jar of pasta sauce. Then add water, basil, Italian seasoning, parsley, and the extra salt. Mix well.

3. Add the Pasta (Don’t Stir!)

Add dry penne pasta directly into the sauce. Don’t stir. Just press down gently to submerge into the liquid.

4. Pressure Cook

Seal the lid and set the valve to SEALING. Press MANUAL and set to 5 minutes. It will take ~10 minutes to come to pressure first.

5. Natural Release

Let the pressure naturally release for 5–10 minutes:

• 5 minutes = al dente pasta
• 8–10 minutes = softer pasta

Then switch valve to VENTING to release any remaining pressure.

6. Add Cheese & Serve

Open the lid and stir the pasta. Add ricotta cheese and parmesan, stirring until creamy and fully melted.

Scoop into bowls and serve with garlic bread or salad. That’s it!

Tips & Variations

• Use cottage cheese for a classic Midwest twist
• Try instant pot lazy lasagna with ravioli for an even easier version
• Make it vegetarian by skipping the meat
• Want a soupier version? Try an instant pot lazy lasagna soup

Note: I tested this with broth instead of water and found water tasted better—it keeps the lasagna flavor classic and clean.

Common Questions About Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna

Can I use a different pasta?
Yes—ziti, rotini, or even bowtie work well.

Do I need a springform pan for this?
Nope! This is a lazy lasagna—no layers, no pans, just mix and go.

Can I use store-bought sauce?
Yes. Any 24–26 oz jar of traditional pasta or marinara sauce works great.

What makes it “lazy” lasagna?
No boiling noodles, no layering, and no baking. Just dump, pressure cook, and stir in cheese.

Is ricotta or cottage cheese better?
Totally up to you! Ricotta is traditional; cottage cheese is lighter and cheaper.

Is it safe to cook pasta in an Instant Pot?
Yes—just don’t stir the pasta into the liquid. That’s the trick to avoiding a burn warning.

More Creative Lasagna Recipes to Try

• 🎃 Ghostly Lasagna Recipe for Halloween
• 🧀 Lasagna Recipe for Two – Easy Small-Batch Comfort Food
• 🌮 Taco Lasagna – The Ultimate Cheesy Tex-Mex Casserole
• 🥬 Keto Eggplant Lasagna – Easy Low-Carb Recipe

Pin & Share the Lazy Lasagna Love 💛

Tried this Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna? Tag @RitzyRecipes on Pinterest and show off your bowl of cheesy goodness!

Creamy, cozy, one-pot pasta magic—your family won’t even miss the layers.

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