Description
Instant Pot Creamy “Baked” Ziti is a rich, comforting pasta dish featuring layers of tender ziti pasta, melty cheeses, and a luscious creamy tomato sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers all the deliciousness of traditional baked ziti without the wait, making it perfect for quick family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 oz dry ziti pasta
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth or water
Cheeses
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Aromatics and Seasonings
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in the Instant Pot on the sauté function. Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant and translucent to build a flavorful base.
- Add Liquids and Pasta: Pour in the marinara sauce and chicken broth (or water). Stir in the dry ziti pasta, making sure it is fully submerged for even cooking and to prevent sticking.
- Pressure Cook the Pasta: Seal the Instant Pot lid and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. Allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes before carefully opening the lid.
- Stir in Cheeses: Quickly mix in ricotta, shredded mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses while the pasta is hot. Stir until creamy and well combined to achieve a luscious, “baked” texture.
- Season and Serve: Add salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste. Garnish with fresh herbs or extra parmesan if desired, then serve piping hot.
Notes
- Use enough liquid to ensure pasta is fully submerged to avoid burning or uneven cooking.
- Follow the pressure cooking time carefully to prevent mushy noodles.
- Mix some cheese during cooking and save some for topping after for maximum gooeyness.
- Use natural pressure release to keep pasta intact and prevent breaking.
- Stir quickly when adding cheese to melt evenly and prevent clumps.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Keywords: Instant Pot, Baked Ziti, Creamy Pasta, One-Pot Pasta, Quick Comfort Food, Cheesy Pasta