Instant Pot Dump and Go Meatball Lasagna is a perfect dinner on those nights when you need dinner fast! This 8 ingredient pasta dish is faster than picking up pizza and it will be gobbled up in no time.
The SLOW COOKER instructions are listed in the recipe card below.
Instant Pot Dump and Go Meatball Lasagna (video)
I’m pretty sure this entire pot of food was scarfed down in 5 minutes flat. I’m okay with it. I love when the easiest and fastest dinners are also the favorites at my house. I hope you try this recipe soon! I know you’ll love it too.
What kind of meatballs do you like? There are lots of different brands of frozen meatballs out there. I have tried some really tasty frozen meatballs and also really gross ones too. For this Instant Pot dump and go meatball lasagna I went with an Italian style meatball and I purchased the Kroger brand. The Costco frozen meatballs are also tasty and at a good price. Test out several brands and find your favorite. Frozen meatballs are such a good hack for a busy night or a night when you don’t feel like cooking.
Why do you layer the dish instead of stirring it all together? To avoid the burn error code. Read more about the burn message and why it happens.
What kind of pasta sauce should I use? I threw in a can of Hunt’s garlic basil pasta sauce. Other brands and flavors of pasta sauce work great as well. Try Ragu, Prego, Classico, the store brand. It doesn’t matter much.
Can I use a different type of pasta? I used the cute farfalle (bowtie) pasta for this dish. However other types of pasta would also work well. Try penne, cavatappi, rotini (cook for 1 less minute), shells, etc. I prefer the shorter cuts of pasta for this dish as opposed to spaghetti, fettuccine and linguine.
Can I use gluten free pasta? I haven’t tried this recipe with gluten free pasta before. However Gwen from the 365 Days Instant Pot FB groups says, “I use Barilla GF pretty regular. The penne and elbows both hold up well in recipes – not rotini. I do use whatever time the IP recipe calls for and add 1-2 min of natural release.”
What if I don’t have fresh basil? You can try adding a little dry basil at the end about ½ tsp (of just leave it out).
What if I don’t like ricotta? You can leave it out or you can substitute with cottage cheese or a few dollops of softened cream cheese.
Can I use parmesan cheese from a can? Yes. I used fresh parmesan but in a pinch the stuff out of the green can will work too.
You’ll also like these recipes…
Instant Pot Italian Sausage Tortellini
Instant Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper
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Instant Pot Dump and Go Meatball Lasagna
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes (plus 5 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
A perfect dinner on those nights when you need dinner fast! This 8 ingredient pasta dish is faster than picking up pizza and it will be gobbled up in no time.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups water
- 24 frozen Italian-style meatballs
- 8 oz uncooked farfalle (bowtie) pasta
- 24–26 oz can/jar pasta sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup mozzarella
- 1/2 cup ricotta
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Pour water into Instant Pot. Add in meatballs and then layer the pasta and pasta sauce on top. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning. Don’t stir.
- Cover the Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 4 minutes. When time is up let the pot sit for 5-10 minutes and then move valve to venting and release any remaining pressure. Remove the lid.
- Stir in the cheeses and basil.
- Scoop into bowls and serve.
Notes
I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*. You can make this in your 3 or 8 quart pot with no changes.
To make in the slow cooker: add water, meatballs, pasta, pasta sauce and Italian seasoning to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until pasta is cooked through. Add in cheeses and basil and stir.
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Italian
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
the ratios in this recipe seem off
waaaaay too much cheese – the ricotta cheese was nice
not enough pasta
fresh basil was the best part of this dish
Can I use ground venison or beef instead of the meatballs?
Yep! Just brown it first.
It was very good and very easy….my kind of recipe. Added a few sliced mushrooms and a few chopped mini peppers.
★★★★★
Love the idea of mushrooms and peppers! Thanks for the 5 stars!
I have homemade uncooked meatballs, can I use them or do I need to cook in instant before doing your recipe? If so how long do they need to cook? Thank you for all the delicious recipes you post!
I usually cook meatballs that are uncooked for 5 minutes in the instant pot. So I bet if you just change the cook time to 5 minutes that will be okay.
This was amazing! I am new to the instant pot and was a bit skepticle it would cook frozen meatballs and pasta in 4 minutes. The pasta was cooked absolutely perfect Al dente. Will definitely make this one again!
★★★★★
It’s magic!!!
made this twice already and making it again tonight! it’s now a favorite quick meal in our house! so tasty and cheesy we love it!
★★★★★
Thanks Athena for the 5 stars!
What would the cook time be to substitute fresh raw meatballs? Everything else being the same
I would cook for 5 minutes. They should cook in that time.
I love dump and go recipes, this was so good! No effort, just a great meal with Caesar salad. I used the Bertolli sauce. Thank you!
★★★★★
Yay! I love hearing this. Thanks for the 5 stars!
We all love this. My 10 year old granddaughter cooks by herself, with just supervision. She loves being able to do everything but take it to the table
★★★★★
I love that a 10 year old can make it! So awesome!
How could I make this with raw meatballs that I make myself? I won’t have time to cook and freeze them ahead of time. Would I just need to adjust the cooking time? Thank you!
I would make small-ish meatballs (the size of ping pong ball) and they will cook in the 4 minute pressure cook time
Thank you, Karen!!
I’m disabled I need as easy recipes as I can get. Made this for my husband and he absolutely loved it so I will share this and make it again thanks so much for this recipe it really did help
★★★★★
Oh I’m so glad to hear it helped! Thanks for the 5 stars!
I’m a university student who doesn’t have much experience cooking, and this recipe turned out great! The recipe was simple and easy to follow, and relatively budget-friendly as well. Tasted just like lasagna, but with different pasta and meat – I’ll definitely make it again, especially because I have ricotta left over.
I even managed to modify the ratios in order to accommodate more pasta. Thanks for sharing the great recipe, Karen!
★★★★★
Here’s a photo of a serving of the finished product:
https://i.imgur.com/ICOwLTp.png
It looks so great!! Good work 👊
Best and fast meal ever and the family loves it! I use a 12 oz box, fill as many meatballs as I can at the bottom and use 2 cups of water and it’s perfect. A no energy meal that pleases a hungry family! Thank you Karen!
★★★★★
I really like that “a no energy meal!” That’s what I’m talking about!
So a box of Bowtie pasta is 12oz….should I adjust the recipe by 1.5 times if I want to use the full box?
Yes that’s what I would do!
Oh this was so delicious, easy & oh so fast! I sort of halved for the 3-qt, but really wanted to make no more than 2 servings, which is less than half recipe & measurements just get too weird. I browned the frozen meatballs in a little olive oil & added chopped onions/garlic, then 7/8 cup water for 1/2 recipe. Eyeballed the rest of the ingredients for 2 servings, subbed cottage cheese for the ricotta & used same cook time as full recipe. Perfection! Thanks for another fabulous recipe Karen! Your recipes never disappoint! I think it took longer to eat than it did to cook😂
★★★★★
Sounds like you’re cooking the way I do! “eyeballed” it haha
How can I adjust this recipe for a 16 oz box of pasta? Thank you!
use 3 3/4 cups of water instead
Amazing, me and my spouse loved it greatly!! Very delicious and will make again!
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/404739865872302091/775927133804953610/image0.jpg
For Picture 🙂
★★★★★
Looks so great Jennifer!
I have made this several times. Without Ricotta. Delicious!! I never buy spaghetti sauce, have always made my own, so I just add a can of crushed tomatoes and the seasonings and still delicious. Thanks for a quick quick winner dinner
★★★★★
So glad you enjoyed it Terri!
Definitely a winner! My whole family loved it!
★★★★★
Good to hear! Thanks for sharing!
Cii I ups I substitute cottage cheese instead of ricotta?
Yes!
This was my first time doing pasta in my instant pot. Was so nervous. 365 days never disappoints! This was amazing and so quick for such a delicious meal!!! New fav! Thank you!
★★★★★
YESSSS! Thanks Stacey!
Would love to make this recipe. I have everything but ricotta. Do I absolutely need it? Will the taste be good enough if I omit it. Don’t want to waste the other ingredients if the ricotta really makes a difference.
TIA
It will be delicious even without the ricotta!
Great!
Thanks so much!
Will definitely be making it. Thanks for all your wonderful recipes!!
I never know if my instantpot should be on the “low”, “normal” or “more” setting.
I always keep it on “normal “ but I don’t know what this is for. I also keep it on high pressure.
I tried to look at your buttons on your video but I couldn’t tell. The only one I was able to see was the “high pressure” setting.
I’m making it now on the “normal “ and the “high pressure “ settings. Hope it’s ok
Thanks!
Yep that’s okay. Use high pressure most 99.9% of the time. The other settings are for the saute setting to adjust it to low medium or more. You don’t need to worry about that setting when using the pressure cook mode.
This was so quick and easy! My family loved this and the best part was that I was able to make this wonderful meal after working late. It truly is dump and go. Thank you!
★★★★★
It’s the best for that reason!
I would love to use a pound of pasta and maybe less meatballs – would I have to change the water and/or the cooking time?
Yes add more water. For 1 pound of pasta I usually use 3 3/4 cups of broth/water.
Thank you. I tried it using your basic recipe – it was delish!
What fun! I made tofu ricotta and used vegan sausage and meatballs!! Great!!
★★★★★
Awesome! Glad you made it work for you 😊
First time cooking pasta in IP and was surprised it turned out perfect thanks to your video. This recipe is so easy it practically makes itself! It was a keeper according to my husband. Halved the recipe for our 3 quart IP. I’m not a huge fan of frozen meatballs and will make my own next time.
Thanks for sharing this great easy recipe!
★★★★★
I’m so glad it turned out well for you. I love that it “practically makes itself!”
Can this be made as a freezer meal (cooked and then frozen for later). Thanks!
yes this would be a good candidate for that
Hello KAREN,
Just tried this for dinner tonight, We LOVED it !!! tasty
very fast and easy, thanks for posting these great recipes, , it always fun to see your new ideas in my email.
Thank you Carrie. This one was so easy!! I love recipes like these.
Don’t you think leftovers of this would freeze well? That would be a solution to Mary V’s quantity problem.
I think it would freeze okay. I would be a bit worried about the pasta getting mushy.
Can I replace the tomatoes with anything else? Suggestions??
You could use a jar of alfredo sauce in the place of spaghetti sauce.
Now you’re talking my language. I much prefer Alfredo sauce. I’ll have to try this.
Can I double this recipe? Meaning just double (using the whole bag) the pasta?
★★★★★
Yes but you would need to double the water amount and possibly the spaghetti sauce for enough flavor.
I have the same question about cutting the recipes in half. Its only my husband and I. My question is more about timing. Is there a general rule of thumb if you half a recipe to adjust the time? Love your recipes!!
Usually you keep the same cooking time. This article is a good one: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/how-to-halve-instant-pot-recipes/
Would it work to add meatballs i make instead of buy?
Prob freeze 1st though and use w lazanga when decide to make it. Then add to instant pot?
Thanks
Yes I bet that would work. You should cook them first and then freeze.
To half this recipe, do I only use half the water too? Does it change the cooking time? I tried the pan in pan lasagne recently- very tasty but way too much for one person. I would have eaten It every night and still had left-overs! Ended up tossing a good bit. Must learn more about cutting recipes in half.
Yes halve the water. No change in cooking time. Here is a good article about how to halve recipes: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/how-to-halve-instant-pot-recipes/