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Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna

Instant Pot lazy lasagna with rotini pasta, ground beef, tomato sauce, cottage cheese, and melted mozzarella.
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This easy Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna has all the cheesy, saucy flavors of lasagna without the work of layering or baking. Rotini, ground beef, spaghetti sauce, cottage cheese (or ricotta), and mozzarella come together for an easy family dinner.

Ingredients

  • 1½ – 2 pounds ground beef (depending on how meaty you prefer)
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 (24-ounce) jars spaghetti sauce, divided (You may use homemade spaghetti sauce if you prefer!)
  • 16 ounces rotini pasta
  • 2–3 cups water, or just enough to barely cover the pasta
  • 1½ cups cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Set the Instant Pot to Sauté. Add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook, breaking up the meat as it browns, until no longer pink.
  2. Stir the onion powder and garlic powder into the cooked ground beef.
  3. Drain excess grease if needed and scrape the bottom of the pot well to remove any browned bits.
  4. Press Cancel. Add 1½ jars (36 ounces) of spaghetti sauce and stir to combine with the meat. (Reserve the last half of the 2nd jar for after pressure cooking.)
  5. Deglaze the pot with about ½ cup of your measured water. Scrape the bottom very thoroughly until it feels completely smooth. 
  6. Add the rotini on top of the meat and sauce mixture.
  7. Pour water over the pasta, using only enough to just barely cover the noodles. Do not stir. Gently press down any noodles that aren’t submerged.
  8. Secure the lid, set the valve to Sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 7 minutes.
  9. When the cooking cycle is complete, carefully quick release the pressure. If the valve begins to sputter or foam, close it for a few seconds before continuing the release.
  10. Stir in the cottage cheese or ricotta, Italian seasoning, and the remaining ½ jar (12 ounces) of spaghetti sauce. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if needed.
  11. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the top. Place the lid back on the Instant Pot without sealing and let it sit for a few minutes, until the cheese is melted.
  12. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Spaghetti sauce: You’ll use 1½ jars before pressure cooking and stir the remaining ½ jar in afterward. This gives the finished pasta plenty of sauce without making the cooking liquid too thick.
  • Water: The exact amount will vary. Add only enough to barely cover the rotini; too much water can make the finished lasagna soupy.
  • Do not stir the pasta after adding it to the pot. Keeping it layered helps reduce the chance of getting a burn warning.
  • Either cottage cheese or ricotta works well.
  • If the pasta looks a little loose when you first open the pot, it will thicken as it sits.
  • Add in some mini pepperonis or cooked ground sausage and diced onion, mushrooms, & bell peppers for a pizza themed pasta!
  • Serve alongside Homemade Breadsticks and Garlic Butter

Find it online: https://ourgratefulkitchen.com/instant-pot-lazy-lasagna/