Pressure Cooker Recipe #3 : Six Minute Lasagna

Yup, you read right. This lasagna only took six minutes to cook. I have only attempted lasagna once before in my life, so this was an adventurous recipe for me. Although the pictures did not turn out very good, the lasagna did taste better than it looked. It was good. It definitely turned out too liquidy though. The recipe calls for you to add water to the bottom of the cooker and to the meat sauce, so I did as it told me to, but I will watch the liquid next time. It also made a ton. We ate on it for a couple of meals. So if you try this, leave out some of the liquid. This post is more for my own record of how to do this in the future.

 Told you it was not the prettiest recipe.... we did add some fresh basil for looks!

Lasagna from Bob Warden's Great Food Fast

Prep Time: 25 min Cook Time: 6 min Temperature: High Serves: 6

Shopping List
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
1 pound lean ground beef
salt and pepper
1 (24 oz) jar chunky spaghetti sauce (I just realized this might have been part of my problem. I used regular because I already had it. Maybe the chunkier the less liquid it has...)
1/4 cup water
2 pounds whole milk ricotta cheese
2 large eggs
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
8 ounces uncooked lasagna noodles
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Heat olive oil in a large saute pan on the stove top over high heat. Add onions, ground beef, and a pinch of salt and peppers, sauteing until browned.
2. Stir spaghetti sauce and water into the ground beef mixture, and remove from heat.
3. In a large mixing bowl, use a fork to whisk together ricotta cheese, eggs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
4. Fill the bottom of the pressure cooker with water, just until 1/4 inch deep (maybe I did too much here too). Ladle 1/5 of the beef and sauce mixture into the water and then cover with a layer of lasagna noodles, breaking them to fit.
5. Cover the noodles with a layer of 1/3 of the cheese mixture. Cover the cheese mixture with another layer of 1/5 of the sauce, then another layer of noodles. Repeat for 2 more layers, ending with noodles topped with the final layer of sauce.
6. Securely lock the cooker's lid and set for 6 minutes on high. Quick release the cooker's pressure, remove cover, and sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese. Re-cover and let rest at least 10 minutes before serving.

Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Macaroni

I love macaroni. As a kid, when I did not like what we had for dinner, it was always Velveeta Shells & Cheese for me (I never liked Kraft, still don't!).  We had leftover Velveeta (you know the lovely, long block of it) from another recipe that we needed to use and chicken. So I took to the Velveeta website and found this recipe for Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Macaroni. It was really good! In fact, I am having leftovers for lunch today!

Not the prettiest meal or photograpy, but hey instagram (ebase83) makes it look a little better...

Here is the easy recipe:

2 chicken breasts, cute into bite size pieces (salt and peppered)

1 can (14.5 oz) chicken broth

2 cups noodles (I used whole wheat shells.)

1/2 lb (8 oz) Velveeta, cut into 1/2 inch cubes (I used 2%)

1 package (16 oz) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed

Cook the chicken in a large nonstick skillet on medium high heat 5 to 7 minutes until done, stirring occasionally.

Stir in broth and bring to boil. Stir in noodles and cover. Simmer on medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until the noodles are tender.

Add Velveeta and broccoli and cook 4 to 5 minutes or until Velveeta is melted and broccoli is heated through, stirring frequently.

It makes a lot, so if you like leftovers, this is a good meal for you! I feel slightly better eating macaroni when it has broccoli in it, right??



I had a Stella & Dot trunk show last night and wore one of my favorite statement necklaces, The Marchesa. I love the turquoise and multiple strands. Definitely dressed up my plain black tank!

Did you read about how I am raising money for Autism Speaks with Stella & Dot? Read about it here. I would love to take a preorder for the Shine bracelet for you!

Also until the end of March, all shipping (no matter the order) is $5.95. Now is a great time to grab a pair of spring earrings to add to your wardrobe like the Serenity Drops or Capris! You can check out the full line at www.stelladot.com/emilybase!