Instant Pot Lasagna Soup
Instant Pot Lasagna Soup is a delightful fusion of classic Italian flavors and modern convenience, bringing the comforting essence of lasagna into a warm and hearty soup. This recipe is perfect for those who love the rich taste of traditional lasagna but seek a quicker, one-pot meal.
Combining savory Italian sausage, tender lasagna noodles, and a blend of ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, this soup offers a creamy, indulgent experience.
Enhanced with aromatic garlic, Italian seasoning, and a hint of paprika, it’s an ideal dish for busy weeknights when you crave a satisfying and delicious meal made easy with the Instant Pot.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Quick and Convenient: This recipe transforms the traditional lasagna experience into a quick and easy one-pot meal, perfect for busy weeknights. Using the Instant Pot significantly reduces the cooking time, allowing you to enjoy the rich flavors of lasagna without the lengthy preparation.
Comfort in a Bowl: The soup captures the essence of classic lasagna with its hearty, savory flavors, making it a comforting choice for any time of year. It’s a warm, satisfying dish that brings the coziness of a home-cooked meal to your table.
Rich and Flavorful: The combination of Italian sausage, tomatoes, and a medley of cheeses creates a robust and indulgent flavor profile. The aromatic blend of garlic, Italian seasoning, and optional paprika adds depth and enhances the overall taste.
Family-Friendly: This dish is ideal for family meals, as it is both kid-friendly and appealing to adults. The familiar flavors and creamy texture are sure to please a wide range of palates, making it a hit with everyone at the table.
Versatile and Customizable: While the recipe is delicious as is, it also offers flexibility. You can adjust the level of spice, swap out proteins, or add extra vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to tailor the soup to your family’s preferences.
Key Ingredients:
Italian Ground Sausage: This ingredient adds a savory and flavorful base to the soup, infusing it with the classic spices and richness characteristic of Italian cuisine. It provides a hearty texture and depth of flavor that mimics the traditional lasagna filling.
Lasagna Noodles: Broken into bite-sized pieces, these noodles are the hallmark of lasagna, bringing the essential pasta element into the soup. They absorb the broth’s flavors, becoming tender and deliciously satisfying.
Ricotta and Mozzarella Cheeses: These cheeses contribute to the creamy, indulgent texture of the soup. Ricotta adds a smooth, slightly sweet richness, while mozzarella melts beautifully, creating a luscious, cheesy finish.
Petite Diced Tomatoes and Marinara Sauce: These ingredients provide the tangy, tomato-based sauce that is integral to lasagna. They bring acidity and sweetness, balancing the richness of the sausage and cheeses.
Chicken Broth: Serving as the soup’s base, the chicken broth adds a savory depth and helps meld all the flavors together. Using low-sodium broth allows you to control the saltiness of the dish.
Garlic and Italian Seasoning: These aromatics infuse the soup with classic Italian flavor. The garlic provides a robust, fragrant undertone, while the Italian seasoning, with herbs like oregano and basil, enhances the overall taste profile.
Olive Oil: Used for sautéing, olive oil adds a subtle richness and helps develop the flavors of the onion and sausage at the beginning of the cooking process.
Instant Pot Lasagna Soup
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- to 2-inch pieces
1 cup ricotta cheese
¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
Set your Instant Pot to the sauté mode. Pour in the olive oil and add the diced onion, cooking until the onion becomes translucent, which should take about 3 minutes.
Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for approximately 30 seconds, just until the garlic becomes fragrant.
Introduce the Italian ground sausage to the pot. Brown and crumble the sausage, cooking until it is no longer pink.
Pour in 4 cups of the chicken broth, along with the diced tomatoes and marinara sauce. Mix the ingredients to combine well.
Add the broken lasagna noodles to the pot, gently pressing them into the broth without stirring. Pour the remaining cup of broth over the top.
Secure the Instant Pot lid and ensure the pressure release valve is sealed. Set the Instant Pot to manual mode and cook for four minutes. Note that it will take about 10 minutes for the pressure to build up before the timer starts.
Once the cooking time is complete, carefully release the pressure valve to allow all the steam to escape. Remove the lid and stir the noodles.
Mix in the ricotta cheese and mozzarella cheese, stirring until they are fully melted. Serve hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Alternatively, you can allow each person to top their soup individually according to their preference.
Notes:
Noodle Texture: To prevent the noodles from becoming too soft, add them just before starting the pressure cooking cycle and avoid stirring them into the soup. This keeps them from sticking to the bottom and ensures even cooking.
Cheese Variations: While ricotta and mozzarella are traditional choices, you can experiment with other cheeses like Parmesan for a sharper flavor or provolone for added creaminess.
Spice Level: If you prefer a spicier soup, consider using hot Italian sausage or adding a pinch of red pepper flakes. Alternatively, you can omit the paprika for a milder version.
Vegetable Additions: Enhance the nutritional value by adding vegetables such as spinach, kale, or mushrooms. These can be stirred in after pressure cooking, using the residual heat to wilt them perfectly.
Broth Substitutions: If you prefer, you can substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth to make the soup suitable for vegetarians, provided you also switch out the sausage for a plant-based alternative.
Serving Suggestions: Garnish the soup with freshly chopped parsley or basil for a burst of color and freshness. You might also serve it with crusty bread or a simple green salad to complete the meal.
Storage and Reheating: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When reheating, you may need to add a splash of broth or water to restore the soup’s consistency, as the noodles may absorb some liquid over time.
Nutrition Information:
Calories: 450 | Protein: 25 grams | Fat: 25 grams | Carbohydrates: 35 grams | Fiber: 3 grams | Sodium: 800 milligrams
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I substitute the Italian sausage with another protein?
Yes, you can substitute the Italian sausage with other proteins such as ground beef, turkey, or chicken.
For a vegetarian version, you can use plant-based meat alternatives or mushrooms for a hearty texture.
Can I make this soup without an Instant Pot?
Absolutely! You can prepare this soup on the stovetop. Simply follow the same instructions in a large pot, allowing the soup to simmer until the noodles are cooked through.
This may take a bit longer than using an Instant Pot.
How can I prevent the noodles from getting too soft when reheating leftovers?
To prevent the noodles from becoming overly soft, consider cooking them separately and adding them to each serving just before eating.
If reheating leftovers with noodles already in the soup, add a bit of extra broth or water to maintain the soup’s consistency.
What if I don’t have ricotta cheese? Can I use a substitute?
If you don’t have ricotta cheese, you can substitute it with cottage cheese for a similar texture.
Alternatively, you can skip it entirely and add extra mozzarella or Parmesan cheese for creaminess.
Can I freeze this soup for later use?
While the soup can be frozen, the texture of the noodles may change upon reheating.
If you plan to freeze the soup, consider cooking the noodles separately and adding them fresh when you reheat the soup.
Freeze the soup in airtight containers for up to three months and thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating.
How can I prevent the noodles from sticking to the bottom of the Instant Pot?
To avoid noodles sticking to the bottom, make sure not to stir them in after adding them to the pot. Instead, gently press them down into the liquid to ensure they are submerged.
This helps them cook evenly without adhering to the pot’s surface.
What should I do if I receive a “burn” warning on my Instant Pot?
If your Instant Pot displays a “burn” warning, it may be due to ingredients sticking to the bottom.
To resolve this, release the pressure, open the lid, and scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen any stuck-on bits.
You can add a bit more broth to increase the liquid content, then reseal and continue cooking.
Can I use a different type of pasta instead of lasagna noodles?
Yes, you can use other pasta types such as penne, rotini, or bowtie.
Keep in mind that different pasta shapes may have varying cooking times, so adjust accordingly to ensure they are cooked to your desired texture.
How do I adjust the seasoning if I find the soup too bland or too salty?
If the soup is too bland, consider adding more Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or a splash of Worcestershire sauce to enhance the flavors.
If it’s too salty, adding additional broth or water can help dilute the saltiness.
You can also incorporate a few slices of potato to absorb excess salt, then remove them before serving.
Is it necessary to use low sodium chicken broth, or can I use regular broth?
While low sodium chicken broth is recommended to allow for better control over the salt content, you can use regular broth if desired.
Just be mindful of the salt levels in other ingredients like sausage and marinara sauce, and adjust seasoning as needed to avoid an overly salty dish.