If you love the Instant Pot for its speed and convenience, stackable pans take it to a whole new level. With Pot-in-Pot (PIP) cooking, you can make complete meals, protein, grains, and veggies, all at the same time without mixing flavors. This not only saves time but also helps you meal-prep smarter, reduce cleanup, and enjoy perfectly balanced meals every single day.

Below are five complete Instant Pot stackable pan meals that create full dinners, breakfasts, and even dessert combos in one go. Each recipe includes what to put in each tier, how to stack the pans, and exact cook times so you never guess.

🍽 1. Coconut Chicken Curry + Rice + Steamed Broccoli (One-Pot Meal)

Nothing beats a creamy coconut chicken curry, especially when you can cook fluffy rice and steamed broccoli at the same time. This method layers everything efficiently so that your full dinner is ready in just one pressure-cook cycle.

Why This Works

The curry goes in the bottom pan since it contains liquid for even cooking. Rice cooks perfectly above it, and a mini pan on top creates gentle steam for veggies. The flavors stay separate while everything cooks simultaneously.

What to Put in Each Layer

Bottom Pan (Tier 1):

• 1 lb chicken thighs or breast, cut small

• 1 cup coconut milk + ½ cup water or broth

• 1 chopped onion

• Garlic, ginger

• Curry powder or curry paste

• Salt, pepper

• Optional: bell peppers, carrots, or potatoes

Middle Pan (Tier 2):

• 1.5 cups jasmine or long-grain rice (rinsed)

• 1.5 cups water or broth

Top Mini Pan (optional):

• Broccoli florets or green beans

How to Cook

Add 1-1.5 cups water to the Instant Pot only if the curry doesn’t already contain enough liquid. Place the curry pan at the bottom, stack the rice pan on a trivet, then top with the veggie mini-pan. Seal and cook on High Pressure for 8–10 minutes, followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release.

Serve

Fluff the rice, stir the curry, and plate steamed broccoli on the side. A complete protein-carb-veg meal, ready at once.

🌾 2. Lentil Dal + Basmati Rice + Steamed Spinach (Vegetarian Indian-Style Meal)

This is a comforting, nutritious vegetarian meal combining creamy dal, fluffy basmati rice, and a side of steamed greens. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.

Why This Works

Red lentils cook quickly, and the PIP method ensures the rice doesn’t turn mushy. Spinach steams effortlessly in just a few minutes in the top tier.

What to Put in Each Layer

Bottom Pan:

• 1 cup red lentils, rinsed

• 2 cups water or broth

• Turmeric, cumin seeds

• Chopped tomato, onion

• Garlic, ginger

• Salt + optional chili

Top Pan:

• 1 cup basmati rice

• 1 cup water or broth

Mini Pan (optional):

• Fresh or frozen spinach with a pinch of salt

How to Cook

Add up to 1.5 cups water to the main pot if needed. Stack the dal at the bottom, rice in the middle, and spinach on top. Cook on High Pressure for 6–7 minutes, then allow a 10-minute natural pressure release.

Serve

Stir dal until creamy, fluff the rice, and add spinach. Comforting, wholesome, and rich in protein and fiber.

🍗 3. Teriyaki Chicken + Quinoa + Mixed Veggies (Balanced Meal Bowl)

This protein-packed meal gives you juicy teriyaki chicken, perfectly cooked quinoa, and colorful steamed vegetables, all ready in under 20 minutes.

Why This Works

Quinoa cooks quickly, the chicken cooks in flavorful sauce, and veggies stay crisp and vibrant on the top tier.

What to Put in Each Layer

Bottom Pan:

• 1 lb chicken breast/thigh pieces

• 1 cup teriyaki sauce + ½ cup water

Middle Pan:

• 1 cup quinoa

• 1 cup water or broth

Top Pan:

• 1–2 cups mixed vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, zucchini, broccoli, etc.)

How to Cook

Place the chicken pan first, then quinoa pan on a trivet, and finally the veggie mini pan. Cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes and do a Quick Release so quinoa and veggies don’t overcook.

Serve

Serve chicken over quinoa and spoon extra teriyaki sauce on top. Add veggies on the side for a complete, nutritious bowl.

🥘 4. Mini Egg Cups + Steel-Cut Oats (Breakfast & Meal Prep Combo)

Start your morning with warm, creamy oats and perfectly portioned egg cups. This stackable combo is excellent for meal-prepping breakfasts for the whole week.

Why This Works

Oats go on the bottom since they need more liquid and heat. Egg cups cook gently above them without drying out.

What to Put in Each Layer

Bottom Pan:

• 1 cup steel-cut oats

• 2 cups water or milk

• Pinch of salt

Mini Cups (5 cups):

• 6–8 whisked eggs

• Salt, pepper

• Optional: diced veggies, shredded cheese, spinach

How to Cook

Add 1.5 cups water to the main pot if needed. Place the oats pan at the bottom and stack the egg cups on a trivet. Cook on High Pressure for 7 minutes, followed by a 10-minute natural release.

Serve

Add fruit, nuts, or honey to the oats. Egg cups are wonderful for on-the-go mornings.

🍰 5. Mini Cheesecakes + Steamed Fruit (Dessert + Fruit Combo)

Yes, you can even make dessert and a fruity side in the Instant Pot at the same time! These mini cheesecakes come out silky and rich thanks to the steam-based cooking method.

Why This Works

The sealed lower pan mimics a water-bath environment, preventing cracks. Fruit steams gently above, keeping nutrients intact.

What to Put in Each Layer

Bottom Pan (Cheesecake Cups):

• Cream cheese

• Sugar

• Egg

• Vanilla

• Optional lemon zest

• Pour into mini cups or ramekins

• Add ½ cup water around the cups

Top Pan:

• Apple slices, berries, or peach chunks

• Sprinkle of sugar + cinnamon

How to Cook

Place the cheesecake water bath in the lower pan, stack fruit pan on top, and cook on High Pressure for 8–9 minutes, followed by 10-minute NPR.

Serve

Chill cheesecakes for a few hours and serve with the warm or cooled steamed fruit. Comforting and light!

🎯 Why Stackable Pan Cooking Is a Game-Changer

• Cook full meals at once

• No flavor mixing between tiers

• Perfect for meal prep

• Reduces cleanup to almost nothing

• Works for dinner, breakfast, and even dessert

• Saves energy and time

With just one Instant Pot cycle, you can feed your family, prep lunches for the week, or make balanced meals with minimal effort. These five recipes are just the beginning, once you start using stackable pans, you’ll never go back.