Instant Pot Lasagna Soup

Lasagna Flavor in Lightning Time

Love lasagna but don’t have an hour to layer noodles and bake? This Instant Pot Lasagna Soup is your answer. All the deep, cheesy, tomato-rich flavor you crave—ready in just 30 minutes. It’s a complete meal in one pot, with ground meat (beef or turkey), tender noodles, and creamy ricotta stirred in just before serving.

This recipe is:

• ✅ Quick (done in 30 minutes)

• ✅ Pork-free

• ✅ Alcohol-free

• ✅ Family-friendly

• ✅ Meal-prep approved

Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or just craving some no-fuss comfort food, this recipe is a cozy, satisfying win.

🛒 Ingredients

Serves: 6–8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes (plus pressure build & release time)
Total Time: ~30 minutes

For the Soup:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey

• 1 small onion, diced

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• ½ teaspoon dried thyme

• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

• 1 (28 oz / 800 g) can crushed tomatoes

• 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can tomato sauce

• 4 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth (no pork-based or alcohol-based ingredients)

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 8 oz uncooked lasagna noodles, broken into pieces

• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Cheese Topping:

• 1 cup ricotta cheese

• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• ½ cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano

• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)

How to Make Instant Pot Lasagna Soup

🔥 Step 1: Sauté the Meat & Aromatics

Turn on the Sauté mode on your Instant Pot.
Add olive oil and ground meat (beef or turkey). Cook until browned—about 5–7 minutes. Break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.

Add the chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic, oregano, basil, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Season with a little salt and black pepper.

💡 Tip: Always scrape up any browned bits at the bottom of the pot to avoid the “Burn” notice when pressure cooking.

🍅 Step 2: Add Liquids and Pasta

Add the tomato paste and stir well.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth. Stir to combine.

Add the broken lasagna noodles (or substitute pasta), making sure they’re submerged but not stuck together.

⏱️ Step 3: Pressure Cook

Lock the lid and set valve to Sealing.
Set Instant Pot to High Pressure for 5 minutes.

It will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure, then cook for 5 minutes. Once done, let it naturally release for 5 minutes, then carefully quick release the rest of the pressure.

✅ Test pasta doneness—if it’s a little firm, it will continue to soften as it rests.

🧀 Step 4: Make the Cheese Mixture

While the soup finishes, in a small bowl mix:

• Ricotta

• Half of the mozzarella

• 2 tablespoons Parmesan
  Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper.

This mixture will act as the “cheesy layer” of your lasagna!

🥣 Step 5: Serve & Garnish

Ladle soup into bowls and top each with a scoop of the ricotta mixture.
Sprinkle additional mozzarella and Parmesan over the top. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.

The cheese will melt slightly into the hot soup, giving you that classic lasagna creaminess in every bite!

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

• Garlic breadsticks or crusty bread for dipping

• Simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette

• Roasted zucchini or bell peppers for extra veggies

• A sprinkle of chili flakes for a kick!

🔁 Variations & Customizations

🌱 Vegetarian Version:

• Use plant-based ground “meat” or cooked lentils

• Replace broth with vegetable broth

• Add mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach for bulk

🧀 Dairy-Free Version:

• Use almond- or soy-based ricotta substitutes

• Omit the cheese topping, or sprinkle with nutritional yeast and herbs

🍝 Different Pasta Options:

• Try fusilli, rotini, penne, or gluten-free noodles

• Avoid delicate pastas—they may overcook quickly under pressure

💪 Make It Lighter:

• Use ground turkey

• Use low-fat ricotta or skip cheese entirely

• Add more broth to create a lighter, thinner soup

❄️ Storage, Reheating & Meal Prep

🧊 To Store:

Refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days.

🔥 To Reheat:

Reheat on the stovetop or microwave in 60-second intervals, stirring between. Add a splash of broth if it thickens too much.

🧊 To Freeze:

• Freeze without pasta for best texture

• To freeze with pasta: cool completely, portion, and freeze up to 2 months

• Thaw overnight in fridge, reheat, and stir in fresh cheese mixture just before serving

🧠 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can I make this without browning the meat?

Technically yes, but it will be less flavorful. Browning adds depth. If skipping, add ground meat and onion raw before pressure cooking—but be sure to break up the meat thoroughly post-cook.

Can I use marinara sauce instead of tomato sauce?

Yes, just adjust for sweetness—many jarred marinara sauces are sweeter. Stick to low-sugar varieties and reduce added salt.

What if my pasta is undercooked?

Put the lid back on (no need to re-pressurize), and let it sit on “Keep Warm” for 5–10 minutes. It will continue to soften.

How do I avoid getting a “Burn” warning?

Scrape the bottom of the pot well after sautéing and before pressure cooking. Make sure no stuck-on bits remain. Also, avoid stirring pasta after adding—it can clump and trigger a burn notice.

Is this recipe spicy?

Not by default. The red pepper flakes add mild heat. Skip them for a kid-friendly version or add more if you love spice.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes—just don’t exceed your Instant Pot’s Max Fill line. Double all ingredients, but keep the same cooking time.

Can I meal prep this for the week?

Absolutely! Portion it into containers and store in the fridge or freezer. Add cheese topping fresh before serving.

⚖️ Nutrition Estimate (Per Serving, without cheese)

• Calories: ~320–380

• Protein: ~22g

• Carbs: ~30g

• Fat: ~14g

• Fiber: ~4g

• Sugar: ~6g
  (Varies depending on meat and cheese choices)

Key Takeaways

This Instant Pot Lasagna Soup is:

• ✔️ Ready in 30 minutes

• ✔️ Packed with Italian flavor

• ✔️ A one-pot family dinner

• ✔️ Customizable to your diet

• ✔️ Freezer and meal-prep friendly

• ✔️ Kid-approved and hearty

💬 Leave a Comment or Review!

Have you tried this 30-minute Instant Pot Lasagna Soup?
Let me know in the comments how it turned out or if you made any tasty tweaks! And don’t forget to tag your bowls with #LasagnaSoupLove on Instagram or Pinterest.

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