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Instant Pot Creamy “Baked” Ziti Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 145 reviews
  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Instant Pot
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Description

This Amazing Instant Pot Creamy “Baked” Ziti is a rich and comforting pasta dish made effortlessly using your Instant Pot. Combining tender ziti pasta with creamy tomato sauce, aromatic herbs, and savory Parmesan cheese, this recipe delivers the flavors of a traditional baked ziti without the oven. Perfect for busy weeknights, it offers an easy, hands-off cooking method that simmers the pasta directly in the sauce for a deliciously saucy and cheesy meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Liquid and Base

  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups cream (see notes for variations)

Seasonings and Herbs

  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced or ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1½ teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1½ teaspoons dried basil

Pasta and Tomatoes

  • 16 ounces uncooked ziti pasta or other tube-shaped pasta
  • 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes

Cheese and Garnish

  • ½ to 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Instant Pot: Lightly spray the bottom and sides of a 6-quart Instant Pot with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Add liquids and seasonings: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and cream. Add salt, black pepper, and finely minced garlic (or garlic powder). Stir gently to combine.
  3. Add the pasta: Layer the uncooked ziti pasta evenly over the liquid mixture without stirring. If the pasta mounds in the center, spread it out to form an even layer.
  4. Add tomato and herbs: Pour the crushed tomatoes evenly over the pasta, then sprinkle dried oregano and dried basil across the top. Do not stir to preserve the layering.
  5. Pressure cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the sealing position. Select the “manual” or “pressure cook” function. Set the cooking time to half the pasta package’s recommended time minus two minutes (e.g., for 12-minute pasta, cook 4 minutes). Add 1 minute if you want softer pasta.
  6. Release pressure: When cooking is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then perform a quick release to let out any remaining pressure.
  7. Add cheese and serve: Open the lid and stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese thoroughly, mixing in any slightly browned pasta from the bottom. Serve immediately topped with additional Parmesan and fresh chopped basil if desired.

Notes

  • Optional: Add 1 pound of ground beef or Italian sausage by browning it using the Instant Pot’s sauté function with salt and pepper, draining excess grease, then proceed with the recipe. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pot well when adding broth afterward to prevent burn warnings.
  • Lighten Up: Substitute 1 cup of cream with a mixture of 1 cup milk whisked with 1 tablespoon cornstarch along with 1 cup cream to reduce richness. Full substitution of cream with milk + cornstarch is untested but could be experimented with.
  • For extra saucy pasta, increase the amount of broth, cream, or crushed tomatoes by ¼ to ½ cup.
  • Any tube-shaped pasta like penne or rigatoni works well as a substitute for ziti.
  • Instead of crushed tomatoes, try using a 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes blended with 2 tablespoons tomato paste for a different texture and flavor.

Find it online: https://oliviadinner.com/instant-pot-creamy-baked-ziti-recipe/