Welcome to a culinary revolution where classic comfort meets modern convenience! This Instant Pot Lasagna Soup takes everything you adore about traditional lasagna – the rich, savory meat sauce, tender noodles, and creamy cheese layers – and transforms it into a hearty, soul-warming soup that’s incredibly quick and easy to make. Forget the lengthy baking times and intricate layering; this recipe delivers all the beloved flavors in a single pot, making it the ultimate weeknight dinner solution for busy families.
Instant Pot Lasagna Soup: A Delicious Twist on a Timeless Classic
If the thought of homemade lasagna fills you with joy but the lengthy preparation leaves you daunted, then get ready to fall head over heels for this Instant Pot Lasagna Soup! We’ve taken the quintessential Italian-American dish and reimagined it for your pressure cooker, resulting in a meal that’s not only faster but just as incredibly flavorful as its traditional counterpart. Imagine succulent Italian sausage, robust marinara, rich tomatoes, and perfectly cooked lasagna noodles all simmering together in a velvety broth, topped with a luscious blend of ricotta and mozzarella cheese. This isn’t just soup; it’s a hug in a bowl, designed to bring warmth and satisfaction to your dinner table on even the chilliest evenings.
For years, our stovetop Lasagna Soup has been a fan favorite, garnering countless requests for an Instant Pot rendition. We’ve spent time perfecting this recipe, ensuring it captures the authentic essence of lasagna while maximizing the efficiency of your pressure cooker. The result is a recipe that’s not only quicker but also surprisingly simple, utilizing many ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. Serve it alongside warm, crusty garlic bread and a crisp side salad for a complete and utterly irresistible family meal. If you’re passionate about quick and flavorful Instant Pot recipes, this Lasagna Soup is about to become your new go-to!
Why You’ll Love Making Lasagna Soup in Your Instant Pot
The Instant Pot has revolutionized home cooking, and for good reason! When it comes to dishes like lasagna soup, its benefits are truly transformative. Here’s why your Instant Pot is the ideal tool for this recipe:
- Unmatched Speed: What would typically be an hour or more of simmering on the stovetop is reduced to mere minutes under pressure. This means you can enjoy a hearty, homemade meal even on your busiest weeknights.
- One-Pot Wonder: From sautéing the aromatics and browning the sausage to cooking the noodles, everything happens in a single pot. This significantly cuts down on cleanup time, making dinner even more enjoyable.
- Flavor Infusion: Pressure cooking forces flavors deep into the ingredients, creating a more intense and cohesive taste profile in a fraction of the time. Your broth will be incredibly rich and savory.
- Consistent Results: The Instant Pot provides a controlled cooking environment, ensuring perfectly tender noodles and a well-cooked sauce every single time, without constant monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Lasagna Soup
Not at all! While Italian sausage lends a fantastic savory depth and traditional flavor to the soup, you have plenty of delicious alternatives. Regular ground beef is a classic choice, offering a familiar taste. For a lighter option, ground chicken or ground turkey work wonderfully. You can also combine different meats for a richer flavor profile. If you prefer a meatless version, simply omit the meat entirely and add extra vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms for a hearty vegetarian lasagna soup.
While lasagna noodles are essential for that authentic “lasagna” feel and appearance, you certainly aren’t limited to them. Many pasta shapes work beautifully in this soup. Mafalda noodles, also known as reginette, are excellent as they are shaped like miniature lasagna noodles with ruffled edges, perfect for capturing the sauce. Other great options include campanelle, farfalle (bow-tie pasta), or even broken spaghetti or fettuccine. The key is to break them into manageable, soup-friendly pieces, ideally 1 to 2 inches long, so they can be easily scooped and enjoyed.
For the best eating experience, break your dry lasagna noodles into pieces approximately 1 to 2 inches in length. This size ensures they are not too small to get lost in the soup but also not too large to be difficult to manage with a spoon. Breaking them consistently will also help them cook evenly in the Instant Pot.
The toppings are where you can truly personalize your lasagna soup! Classic choices include a generous dollop of creamy ricotta cheese (or a ricotta-Parmesan blend), a sprinkle of freshly shredded mozzarella cheese that melts beautifully into the hot soup, or a dusting of grated Parmesan. Fresh herbs like finely chopped basil or parsley add a vibrant burst of color and freshness. For a hint of spice, a pinch of red pepper flakes can elevate the flavors. Don’t be shy about mixing and matching your favorite toppings!
This lasagna soup makes fantastic leftovers! Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, lasagna soup can be frozen. Place cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some headspace for expansion. It will maintain its quality for up to 3 months. To defrost, simply transfer it to the refrigerator overnight. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You might need to add a splash of extra chicken broth or water to thin it out if it has thickened during storage.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Your Instant Pot Lasagna Soup
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to a delicious meal. This recipe uses common pantry staples and fresh components to create a rich and satisfying soup.
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Garlic
- Italian seasoning
- Paprika (optional)
- Salt and pepper
- Italian ground sausage
- Chicken broth
- Petite diced tomatoes
- Marinara sauce
- Lasagna noodles
- Ricotta cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
How to Make Instant Pot Lasagna Soup: Step-by-Step Guide
Making this incredible lasagna soup in your Instant Pot is a straightforward process. Follow these detailed steps to achieve perfect results every time.
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Begin by setting your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” mode. Once hot, add the olive oil. Then, toss in the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it softens and becomes translucent, which usually takes about 3 minutes. This step builds the foundational flavor of your soup.
Step 2: Infuse with Spices and Garlic
Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika (if using), salt, and black pepper. Continue to cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic becomes wonderfully fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this can make it bitter.
Step 3: Brown the Sausage
Add the Italian ground sausage to the pot. Using a potato masher or a sturdy spoon, break the sausage apart and cook it, crumbling it as it browns, until it is no longer pink. Drain any excess grease from the pot to prevent the soup from becoming oily.
Step 4: Deglaze and Add Liquids
Pour in 4 cups of the chicken broth, the petite diced tomatoes (undrained), and the marinara sauce. Stir everything together, scraping the bottom of the pot with your spoon to loosen any browned bits. This deglazing step adds extra flavor and prevents a “Burn” notice from your Instant Pot.
Step 5: Add Lasagna Noodles
Carefully add the broken lasagna noodles to the pot. Gently push them down into the liquid, ensuring they are mostly submerged. It’s important NOT to stir the noodles in at this point, as they can stick to the bottom and trigger a burn warning. Then, pour the remaining cup of chicken broth over the noodles. This layering helps ensure even cooking.
Step 6: Pressure Cook to Perfection
Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, making sure the pressure release valve is set to the “Sealing” position. Set the Instant Pot to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” (High Pressure) for 4 minutes. Remember, it will take approximately 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to build pressure before the cooking timer begins.
Step 7: Release Pressure and Stir
Once the cooking cycle is complete, carefully perform a quick release of the pressure by turning the pressure release valve to the “Venting” position. Stand clear of the steam. Once all the steam has escaped and the float valve drops, remove the lid. Give the noodles a good stir to prevent sticking and break up any clumps.
Step 8: Incorporate the Cheeses
Stir in the ricotta cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese until they are fully melted and thoroughly combined, creating a creamy, cheesy base for your soup. If you prefer a less cheesy soup or want to offer a choice of toppings, you can skip mixing the cheese into the pot and instead let everyone add their preferred amount of cheese as a topping.
Step 9: Garnish and Serve
Ladle the hot soup into bowls. For an extra touch of freshness and visual appeal, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil, if desired. Serve immediately with your favorite garlic bread or a crisp side salad.
Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Lasagna Soup
- Don’t Stir the Noodles: This is crucial! Adding noodles on top of the sauce and then pouring the remaining broth ensures they cook without sticking to the bottom, which can trigger the “Burn” notice.
- Adjust Consistency: If your soup is too thick after cooking, add a little extra chicken broth or water until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, let it simmer on the “Sauté” mode for a few minutes to reduce, stirring frequently.
- Spice it Up: For a kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the Italian seasoning.
- Vary the Meat: As mentioned in the FAQ, feel free to use ground beef, turkey, or chicken instead of Italian sausage, or a combination. Adjust seasonings as needed.
- Homemade Marinara: While jarred marinara works great for convenience, a homemade marinara sauce can elevate the flavor significantly.
- Fresh Herbs: Don’t underestimate the power of fresh basil or parsley added at the very end. It brightens the entire dish.
WANT MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES?
- Homemade Baked Lasagna
- Easy Lasagna Soup
- Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
- Lasagna for Two
- Easy Skillet Lasagna
- Crock Pot Potato Soup
- Stuffed Pepper Soup
- Slow Cooker Potato Soup (with frozen potatoes)
- Crock Pot Taco Soup
- Crock Pot White Lasagna Soup
- Homemade Minestrone Soup
- Chicken Pot Pie Soup
- Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup
Instant Pot Lasagna Soup
This Instant Pot Lasagna Soup takes a classic recipe and twists it into a delicious quick and easy dinner time meal.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars (5 Reviews)
Print Recipe | Pin Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Author: Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ white onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 pound Italian ground sausage
- 5 cups low sodium chicken broth, divided
- 15 ounce can petite diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups marinara sauce
- 8 ounces lasagna noodles (roughly half a box), broken into 1-2 inch pieces
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode then add the olive oil and onion and cook until it becomes translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper and cook for about 30 seconds or until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Add the sausage and brown and crumble the sausage, cooking until it is no longer pink.
- Pour in 4 cups of the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and marinara sauce and stir to combine.
- Add the broken lasagna noodles to the pot and push them down into the broth (but do not stir) then pour on the remaining cup of broth.
- Cover the Instant Pot with the lid and seal the pressure release valve on top then set the Instant Pot to manual and cook for four minutes (it will take about 10 minutes for the pressure to build up before the timer starts).
- Once the timer is done, carefully release the pressure valve on top until all the steam has escaped then remove the lid and stir the noodles.
- Stir in the ricotta cheese and mozzarella cheese until fully melted then serve with freshly chopped parsley for garnish, if desired. Note: if you prefer, you can skip this step and just have everyone top their soup with whatever they prefer.
Notes
- You can substitute your favorite pasta sauce for marinara sauce (I love Rao’s roasted garlic pasta sauce).
- Use ground beef instead of Italian sausage or a mixture of both.
- This can be frozen, see my tips above in the FAQ section.
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Nutrition
Calories: 682 kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 43g | Sodium: 1449mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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There you have it – a magnificent Instant Pot Lasagna Soup that promises to deliver all the classic comfort with remarkable speed and ease. This recipe is a testament to how modern kitchen appliances can transform traditional favorites into quick, weeknight-friendly meals without sacrificing an ounce of flavor. Whether you’re feeding a family or simply craving a delicious bowl of homemade goodness, this soup is sure to become a cherished addition to your recipe collection. Enjoy the warmth, the flavors, and the simplicity!