Craving the classic comfort of lasagna but short on time? Our creamy Instant Pot Lasagna Soup is the ultimate solution! This delightful one-pot recipe brings all the hearty, comforting flavors of traditional lasagna to your bowl in a fraction of the time. Perfect for chilly evenings, busy weeknights, or whenever you need a quick, satisfying meal, this pressure cooker soup is designed to be easy, delicious, and incredibly satisfying for the whole family.
If you adore the rich, layered goodness of classic lasagna but dread the lengthy prep and baking, this Instant Pot Lasagna Soup is about to become your new favorite. This ingenious pressure cooker soup recipe captures every beloved element of traditional lasagna—from the savory tomato broth and seasoned ground meat to tender pasta and a creamy cheese blend—but without the tedious layering, multiple dishes, or long oven bake. It’s the perfect cozy dinner, offering a quick and easy meal that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, sure to be a hit with everyone at your table!
Preparing lasagna soup in your Instant Pot truly is a culinary game-changer! The magic of pressure cooking ensures that all the robust flavors meld together beautifully and rapidly, creating a depth of taste that would typically require hours of simmering on the stovetop. Beyond its incredible speed and convenience, this one-pot wonder often boasts fewer calories, carbohydrates, and fats compared to its traditional counterpart, making it a smarter choice for those seeking a hearty yet lighter meal. It’s the ideal solution for busy weeknights when you desire a substantial, comforting dinner without being tethered to the kitchen for hours.
One of the most appealing aspects of this lasagna soup is its remarkable versatility and customizability. Feel free to adapt the recipe to suit your family’s preferences or dietary needs. You can easily swap out the ground beef for spicy Italian sausage, leaner ground turkey, or even plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian option. Incorporate extra vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms for an added nutritional boost. Opt for gluten-free noodles if required, though specific notes on pasta types are provided below. Serve this delicious soup with a side of warm, crusty bread for dipping, and you’ll have a complete, well-rounded meal that’s not only perfect for dinner tonight but also fantastic for leftovers or convenient freezer meal prep!
Content Covered Here
Why We Love This Instant Pot Lasagna Soup
This Instant Pot Lasagna Soup isn’t just another dinner recipe; it’s a testament to how modern cooking tools can elevate classic dishes, making them more accessible without sacrificing any of the cherished flavors. Here’s why this recipe consistently earns rave reviews and becomes a staple in so many households:
- Authentic Lasagna Taste, Simplified: Imagine all the deep, savory flavors of a traditional lasagna—rich tomato sauce, perfectly seasoned ground meat, aromatic garlic and Italian herbs, and creamy, melty cheese—swirled into a comforting bowl of soup. This recipe masterfully captures that essence, delivering a gourmet experience without the laborious layering, extensive baking, or multiple dishes of its classic counterpart. It’s the taste you love, made incredibly easy for any night of the week.
- The Ultimate One-Pot Wonder: Thanks to the brilliance of the Instant Pot, this entire meal comes together in a single pot. This means less time scrubbing pots and pans, and more time enjoying your delicious creation with family. From browning the meat to pressure cooking the pasta and infusing all the delicious ingredients, everything happens in one vessel. The quick pressure cooking also ensures your meal is ready in minutes, transforming a potentially long cooking process into a fast, weeknight-friendly dinner solution.
- Smart & Savory Meal Prep: This lasagna soup is a dream for meal planning. It’s incredibly freezer-friendly, allowing you to prepare a large batch and store individual portions for quick, wholesome meals on demand. The flavors deepen beautifully overnight, making leftovers taste even better the next day. Reheating is a breeze, whether on the stovetop or in the microwave, making it ideal for busy individuals or families looking for convenient, pre-made dinners. Serve it alongside a crisp green salad or some warm, crusty bread for a truly complete and satisfying meal.
One of the most compelling reasons to embrace the Instant Pot is its ability to transform nearly any recipe into a one-pot meal. This dramatically streamlines the cooking process and, perhaps even more importantly, makes cleanup incredibly effortless and minimal. As a dedicated Instant Pot enthusiast, I’ve seen firsthand how this appliance revolutionizes home cooking, especially when time is of the essence.
If you’re new to the Instant Pot or looking to brush up on your skills, I’ve shared extensive guides on how to use it effectively, covering everything from initial setup to handy tips and hacks. It’s truly one of my most indispensable kitchen appliances, proving its worth year after year. Even after years of consistent use, I continue to be amazed by its performance and the delicious, quick meals it helps me create.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Crafting the perfect Instant Pot Lasagna Soup starts with quality ingredients. Here are some key components and how you can adapt them to your taste or what you have on hand:
- Italian Sausage: We recommend either mild or hot Italian sausage for its distinct flavor profile, which closely mimics traditional lasagna. If you prefer a milder taste or a different texture, lean ground beef (80/20 or 90/10) is an excellent alternative. For a healthier twist, ground turkey or chicken sausage can also be used.
- Lasagna Noodles: Regular lasagna noodles, broken into manageable pieces, work best for this soup, providing that authentic lasagna texture. We generally advise against using gluten-free pasta in this recipe, as it can sometimes become overly soft or gummy when pressure cooked directly in the soup. If gluten-free is a must, consider cooking your gluten-free pasta separately and adding it to individual bowls before serving to maintain its texture. Alternatively, smaller pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or mafaldine can also be used effectively; just be mindful of potential adjustments to cooking time (often slightly less).
- Ricotta Cheese: This is key for achieving that classic creamy, tangy lasagna flavor. If ricotta isn’t available or you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, cottage cheese (small curd works best) is a fantastic substitute. Its texture and mild flavor integrate beautifully into the soup, providing a similar creaminess. For an extra touch of indulgence, a blend of ricotta and a touch of cream cheese or mascarpone can elevate the richness.
- Aromatics: Diced yellow onion and minced garlic form the flavorful foundation of this soup. Don’t skimp on these; they build the base that makes the soup so irresistible.
- Tomato Base: Canned diced tomatoes and tomato sauce create the rich, savory broth. For an extra layer of flavor, consider using fire-roasted diced tomatoes.
- Broth and Water: Chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option) combined with water ensures the soup has the right consistency and helps cook the pasta. Using hot water or warm broth, as detailed in our Pro Tip, can significantly speed up the Instant Pot’s pressurization time.
- Seasonings: Italian seasoning and bay leaves are essential for that classic lasagna taste. Adjust salt and pepper to your preference, and consider a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
Recipe Variations for Every Palate
- Vegetarian or Vegan Lasagna Soup: To transform this into a vegetarian delight, simply substitute the Italian sausage with plant-based ground meat alternatives such as Impossible ground beef or Beyond crumbles. For a fully vegan version, ensure your broth is vegetable-based and use a dairy-free ricotta alternative or cashew cream for the creamy finish. You can also omit the meat entirely and increase the vegetables for a lighter, plant-forward soup.
- Boost Your Veggies: This soup is an excellent canvas for sneaking in extra nutrition. Consider adding finely chopped zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, or mushrooms during the sautéing stage. Fresh spinach or kale can be stirred in at the very end, wilting beautifully into the hot soup just before serving. This is a fantastic way to add vitamins and fiber, often unnoticed by picky eaters!
- Alternative Proteins: Beyond Italian sausage and ground beef, feel free to experiment with other ground meats. Ground chicken or ground turkey sausage offers a lighter protein option while still contributing delicious flavor. For an unexpected twist, shredded rotisserie chicken can be added at the end for an even quicker preparation.
- Spicy Kick: If you enjoy a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the soup along with the Italian seasoning. A diced jalapeño or a dash of your favorite hot sauce stirred in at the end can also provide a pleasant warmth.
- Smoky Flavor: For a subtle smoky depth, incorporate a teaspoon of smoked paprika alongside the other spices.
Equipment Used in Our Recipe
Making this Instant Pot Lasagna Soup is wonderfully straightforward, requiring only a few essential kitchen tools:
- Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker): The star of this recipe! A 6-quart or 8-quart model will work perfectly, allowing enough space for all the ingredients to cook evenly.
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Ideal for browning the meat and stirring the ingredients without scratching the Instant Pot’s inner pot.
- Ladle: Essential for serving up those comforting bowls of soup.
Cooking Pasta to Perfection in the Instant Pot
One of the true marvels of this Instant Pot Lasagna Soup is how the pasta cooks directly in the pot with the rest of the ingredients. Thanks to a precisely timed, short pressure cooking cycle, your lasagna noodles emerge perfectly tender—never soggy or overcooked. They absorb all the wonderful flavors of the broth as they cook, becoming an integral part of the soup’s rich profile.
While we recommend regular lasagna noodles for the most authentic texture, you have the flexibility to make substitutions. Smaller pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or even large elbow macaroni can be used if you prefer. Just be mindful that the cooking time might need a slight adjustment depending on the pasta’s thickness and type. Always ensure the pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid for even cooking.
How to Make Lasagna Soup in Instant Pot
Get ready to create a deeply flavorful, comforting lasagna soup with astonishing ease. Follow these simple steps for a perfect one-pot meal:
Step 1: Sauté Your Aromatics & Meat
Begin by selecting the “Sauté” mode on your Instant Pot. Once hot, add your ground meat (Italian sausage or ground beef) and diced onions. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon or a specialized tool like a “Mix ‘N Chop” (highly recommended!). Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the meat is thoroughly browned and the onions have softened and become translucent. This step is crucial for building a rich flavor base.
Once the meat is browned, drain any excess grease to keep the soup lighter. Then, add the minced garlic to the pot and continue to sauté for just about 1 minute until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter quickly.
Step 2: Layer in the Liquids & Pasta
After the garlic is fragrant, cancel the “Sauté” mode. Now, it’s time to add all the remaining ingredients, except for the cheese. Pour in the canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, and water. Stir everything gently to combine. Next, carefully add the broken lasagna noodles, making sure they are mostly submerged in the liquid. Avoid stirring too vigorously after adding the pasta, as this can sometimes cause pasta to stick to the bottom.
🎯 Pro Tip: Accelerate Pressure Cooking
To significantly speed up the Instant Pot’s process of coming to pressure, preheat your water and chicken broth in a microwave or on the stovetop until they are hot. I typically do this while the sausage and onions are browning. This small step can shave precious minutes off your cooking time!
Ensure that the total volume of ingredients does not exceed the “MAX” fill line marked inside your Instant Pot. Overfilling can be dangerous and prevent proper pressure buildup.
Step 3: Pressure Cook to Perfection
Secure the lid onto your Instant Pot and turn the pressure release valve to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” button (depending on your model) and set the cooking time to 4 minutes on high pressure. The Instant Pot will take some time to come to pressure before the cooking countdown begins.
Once the 4-minute cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for at least 10 minutes. This is known as a Natural Pressure Release (NPR) and helps the pasta finish cooking gently while preventing foam from spraying from the valve. After 10 minutes, carefully twist the steam release valve to the “Venting” position for a Quick Release (QR) to release any remaining pressure. Once the floating pin drops, it is safe to open the lid. Always open the lid away from your face to avoid any lingering steam.
Step 4: The Creamy Finish & Serve
With the lid open, remove the bay leaves. Now, drop in the ricotta cheese into the hot soup. Stir gently until the ricotta cheese melts and blends into the soup, creating a wonderfully creamy texture. The residual heat of the soup will perfectly incorporate the cheese without scorching it.
Ladle the rich, creamy lasagna soup into bowls. For the perfect finishing touch, garnish each serving generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. You can also add a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley for color and extra aroma.
- Enhanced Tomato Flavor: Elevate the taste further by using fire-roasted tomatoes. Their smoky sweetness adds a beautiful depth to the broth.
- Greens for Health: Stir in a cup of fresh spinach or finely chopped kale when you add the ricotta cheese. The greens will wilt quickly and add a healthy dose of vitamins without altering the flavor profile significantly.
- Crispy Toppings: For an extra layer of texture and flavor, consider topping your soup with crispy bacon bits, fried sage leaves, or even toasted breadcrumbs.
- A Touch of Spice: If you enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes stirred in at the end or as a garnish can add a delightful kick.
Serving Suggestions
While this one-pot lasagna soup is incredibly satisfying on its own, pairing it with complementary sides can elevate your dining experience to a whole new level. Here are some delicious ideas:
- Crusty Bread for Dipping: A must-have accompaniment! The rich, savory broth of the soup is just begging to be soaked up by a good piece of bread. Think warm French bread, a rustic sourdough loaf, or flavorful garlic bread. Our personal favorites include homemade sourdough sandwich bread or classic garlic bread made with sourdough. For a unique twist, try a no-yeast sourdough recipe for an even quicker preparation.
- Extra Cheese & Herbs: Enhance the creamy factor and freshness! Beyond the initial ricotta, offer extra grated Parmesan, a dollop of fresh ricotta, or shredded mozzarella cheese as a topping. Fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped, or a sprinkle of fresh parsley add vibrant color and an aromatic finish.
- Crisp Green Salad: A light, refreshing side salad is the perfect contrast to the hearty soup. A simple garden salad with a vinaigrette dressing, or a classic Caesar salad, cuts through the richness and adds a welcome crunch.
- Drink Pairings: For adults, a glass of medium-bodied red wine like a Chianti, Sangiovese, or Cabernet Sauvignon beautifully complements the robust flavors of the tomato and meat. For a family-friendly option, consider sparkling water with a slice of lemon, a warm mug of homemade apple cider, or even a classic iced tea.
- Italian-Inspired Dessert: Conclude your meal with a delightful Italian dessert. Tiramisu, cannoli, panna cotta, or a simple lemon almond cake would provide the perfect sweet ending to this comforting feast.
Creamy Lasagna Soup Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Leftover Instant Pot Lasagna Soup stores exceptionally well. Transfer any cooled leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. For longer storage, this soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags for convenient future meals. Remember to leave some headspace if using containers, as liquids expand when frozen.
To reheat frozen lasagna soup, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, or gently warm it directly from frozen in a pot on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. You may find that the soup has thickened considerably after freezing and thawing, or that the pasta has absorbed more liquid. If it’s too thick, add a splash of water, chicken broth, or even a little milk to thin it out to your desired consistency. Reheat until it’s warmed through and simmering gently. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.
Yes, you certainly can! While traditional lasagna noodles broken into pieces give the most authentic “lasagna” feel, other pasta shapes work wonderfully too. Excellent substitutes include penne, rotini, cavatappi, mafaldine, or even large elbow macaroni. When substituting, remember that the cooking time might need slight adjustments. Generally, smaller, thinner pasta shapes may require a minute or two less pressure cooking time. Always ensure your chosen pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid for even cooking in the Instant Pot.
More Cozy Soup Recipes You’ll Love
If you’ve enjoyed the comforting embrace of our Instant Pot Lasagna Soup, you’re sure to fall in love with these other soul-warming soup creations:
- Creamy Jalapeno Soup: A unique and flavorful twist for those who enjoy a little spice.
- Hearty Great Northern Bean & Ham Soup: A classic, robust soup perfect for a filling meal.
- Quick Tomato Soup Recipe with Canned Tomatoes: Simple, delicious, and incredibly fast to make.
- Ultimate Clam Chowder Soup Recipe: A rich and creamy seafood delight.
If you tried this lasagna soup recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Your feedback means the world! Thanks for visiting!
Instant Pot Lasagna Soup
Renae Gerhardstein
Pin
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage or lean ground beef
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 28 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- 16 ounces tomato sauce
- 4 cups chicken broth or stock
- 2 cups water (using hot water helps the Instant Pot come to pressure faster)
- 8 ounces lasagna noodles broken into chunks (for best results, don’t use gluten-free pasta)
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 ½ tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 ounces ricotta cheese
Instructions
- Using the “sauté” mode on the Instant Pot, add sausage and onion. Cook, stirring frequently until sausage is cooked through and onion is soft. About 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and sauté, stirring, for about 1 minute.
- Then add tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, water, seasonings, and broken noodles. Gently stir together. Do not fill the Instant Pot past the “max” line.
- Secure the lid of the Instant Pot and seal the pressure valve.
- Press the “manual” button with “high pressure” and set time for 4 minutes.
- Once pressure cycle is done, let it sit for ten minutes with a natural pressure release. After ten minutes, twist the steam valve to “vent” and allow it to quickly release pressure.
- Carefully open Instant Pot. Drop in the ricotta cheese into the soup and let it melt in as you stir.
- Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Video
Notes
- To speed things up, preheat your water and the broth in a microwave oven until hot. I do this while the sausage and onions mixture is browning. It allows the Instant Pot to come to pressure faster.
Recipe Variations:
- To make this a vegetarian or vegan lasagna soup recipe, use Impossible ground beef or Beyond crumbles in place of the sausage. You can also omit the meat altogether.
- Add some chopped zucchini or squash to the mix. It’s a great way to sneak in some extra nutrition.
- Use ground chicken or ground turkey sausage instead of beef or pork sausage.
Storing Instructions:
- Leftover lasagna soup can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of water or broth to thin it out if it’s too thick.