Amazing Instant Pot Creamy "Baked" Ziti
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
35 mins
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Cook Time
5 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
8 servings
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Course
Main Course
Amazing Instant Pot Creamy "Baked" Ziti
Description
Amazing Instant Pot Creamy "Baked" Ziti uses uncooked ziti pasta layered with low-sodium chicken broth, cream, crushed tomatoes, garlic, and dried Italian herbs like oregano and basil. The ingredients are arranged in the Instant Pot without stirring, then pressure cooked just enough to cook the pasta al dente yet soft. After a natural pressure release and quick release, freshly grated Parmesan cheese is stirred in, melting into a creamy, tomato-rich sauce. The result combines the creamy texture of baked pasta with the convenience of pressure cooking.
The flavor is savory with mild herbal notes from oregano and basil, with garlic providing additional depth. The tomato layer gives acidity and moisture, while the cream and cheese add richness. The texture is tender pasta with some slight caramelization or darker spots on the bottom layer, emulating the baked version without heating the oven.
This ziti works well as a main dish for a family meal or casual dinner. It pairs with a simple green salad or garlic bread to balance the creamy tomato sauce. Since it's made entirely in the Instant Pot, it suits cooks looking for a hands-off method that minimizes cleanup.
The recipe notes mention the option to add cooked ground beef or Italian sausage for added protein by using the Sauté function first. It also suggests customizing creaminess by substituting part of the cream with milk and cornstarch mixture. For a saucier result, extra broth, cream, or crushed tomatoes can be added. Tube-shaped pastas like penne or rigatoni are acceptable substitutes.
Ingredients
- 2 cups broth I use low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups cream
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 16 ounces ziti pasta uncooked, or other tube-shaped pasta
- 15- ounce crushed tomatoes canned
- 1 ½ teaspoons oregano dried
- 1 ½ teaspoons basil dried
- ½ to 1 to 1 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- basil for serving (optional, fresh
Instructions
- Lightly spray the bottom and sides of a 6-quart Instant Pot with nonstick cooking spray. Pour in the broth and cream and add the salt, pepper and garlic.
- Add the pasta; don't stir, but if it's mounded in the center, arrange into an even layer. Pour the crushed tomatoes evenly over the pasta and sprinkle the oregano and basil over the top. Don't stir.
- Secure the lid of the Instant Pot, set the valve to seal, and select "manual" or "pressure cook" and dial up or down to the minutes needed --> take the cooking time on the pasta package directions, cut it in half and subtract two more minutes. So for pasta that cooks to al dente in 12 minutes, the IP cooking time would be 4 minutes (add an extra minute if you like your pasta super soft).
- Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes and then quick release the remaining pressure.
- Add the Parmesan cheese and stir thoroughly (it's ok if there are some darker, cooked spots on the bottom of the pot/bottom layer of pasta). Serve the ziti immediately with chopped, fresh basil, and additional Parmesan, if desired.
Notes
- Cook ground beef or Italian sausage in the Instant Pot on sauté before adding other ingredients; scrape browned bits before adding broth.
- To reduce richness, substitute 1 cup cream with 1 cup milk thickened with 1 tablespoon cornstarch.
- Add up to 1/2 cup extra broth, cream, or crushed tomatoes for a saucier pasta.
- Use tube-shaped pastas like penne or rigatoni instead of ziti if unavailable.
- For a thicker tomato base, blend diced tomatoes with tomato paste as a substitute for crushed tomatoes.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 serving | |
| Calories | 360kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 49g | 16% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 45mg | 15% |
| Sodium | 566mg | 24% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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