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Instant Pot Creamy “Baked” Ziti

Instant Pot Creamy "Baked" Ziti
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This Instant Pot Creamy “Baked” Ziti recipe combines rich, cheesy baked ziti flavors with the convenience of quick pressure cooking. Ready in under 30 minutes, it features tender ziti pasta cooked in marinara sauce, layered with ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses. Perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings, this one-pot meal is creamy, comforting, and customizable to suit your preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 12 oz ziti or penne pasta (uncooked)
  • 3 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Sauté Aromatics and Meat: Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode. Heat olive oil, then cook diced onions and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent. Add ground beef or Italian sausage and brown thoroughly, breaking it up as it cooks for even texture.
  2. Add Marinara and Seasoning: Pour in marinara sauce and season with salt, pepper, and optional herbs. Stir well to combine all flavors. Turn off sauté mode.
  3. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add uncooked ziti pasta directly into the sauce mixture. Make sure all pasta is submerged but avoid stirring too much to prevent sticking.
  4. Pressure Cook: Seal the Instant Pot lid and set to manual high pressure for 5 minutes. This cooks the pasta perfectly while infusing it with the sauce.
  5. Release Pressure and Add Cheese: Perform a quick pressure release once cooking is complete. Stir in ricotta cheese until creamy. Top with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, allowing them to melt from the residual heat.
  6. Optional Broil for a Crisp Top: If desired, transfer ziti to a baking dish and broil for 2-3 minutes until bubbly and golden for a crisp cheese crust. Otherwise, serve directly from the pot for a creamy texture.

Notes

  • Use quick-release pressure immediately after cooking to prevent overcooked pasta.
  • Choose sturdy pasta shapes like ziti or penne for best results under pressure cooking.
  • Do not over-stir pasta into sauce before cooking to avoid sticking or clumping.
  • Add ricotta and mozzarella cheeses off heat to maintain smooth, creamy texture.
  • Sprinkle fresh chopped basil or parsley just before serving for brightness and color.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, Baked Ziti, Creamy Pasta, One-Pot Meal, Quick Dinner, Comfort Food, Italian Pasta

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