Not The Oven Or Crock-Pot — Lasagna Is Miles Faster In This Kitchen Appliance

A favorite dish of countless people across the world (and even orange cats named Garfield), lasagna has been a dinner staple for centuries. Though it's a crave-worthy entree, you might not be up for the process of preparing all the ingredients when you want a simple dinner. Thankfully, just one kitchen appliance can take away the effort of boiling pasta and sauteing meat in separate pots and pans. Pull out your Instant Pot the next time you get ready to cook this dish and see what difference it'll make in speed and convenience.

All you need to do is saute your ground meat in the Instant Pot, mix in pasta sauce, and add uncooked pasta and water or broth. Pressure cook it for about five minutes (this setting is "Manual" on older models) before mixing in your preferred cheese and sprinkling the rest on top to melt. Keep in mind that ricotta can negatively affect the lasagna's texture by making it grainier — but if that's the cheese you swear by, it's fine to use it here. Parmesan and mozzarella melt beautifully to provide that cheesy topping lasagna is revered for, and all it requires is a couple more minutes with the Instant Pot lid on.

Lasagna can take anywhere from 40 to 60 minutes to cook in the oven, even with no-boil lasagna sheets. Crock-Pots tack on even more time with their low and slow cooking method, and these slow cookers can introduce common problems that might ruin your lasagna. These options won't fit the bill if you need to put together a quick, last-minute meal or don't want to wait all day to eat. True to its name, the Instant Pot is your best bet for a one-pot meal that takes way less time and eliminates all the dirty dishes, making cleanup easier.

If you prefer traditional American-style lasagna and don't mind some extra dishwashing, put the sauteed ground meat in a separate dish and layer it back into the Instant Pot with the pasta, cheese, and sauce. Creamy one-pot lasagna soup is a creative alternative to the traditional casserole for those who can't pass up the appeal of a warming soup, especially in the cold months. The homey charm of lasagna knows no bounds among foodies everywhere, and an Instant Pot brings it to life in just minutes.