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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 delivers all the cheesy, saucy goodness of traditional baked ziti with the convenience of one-pot cooking. Ready in under 30 minutes, it combines tender pasta, rich marinara sauce, and creamy cheeses into a comforting meal ideal for busy weeknights. Perfectly cooked in your Instant Pot, this dish offers rich flavor, minimal cleanup, and flexibility to customize with meats, veggies, or dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 8 ounces dry ziti pasta
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 cup water or broth
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Sauté Aromatics – Set your Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode and heat the olive oil. Add the finely chopped garlic and onion, and cook until they soften and become fragrant. This step builds the flavor base of your sauce.
  2. Step 2: Add Pasta and Liquids – Pour the dry ziti pasta into the pot, followed by the marinara sauce and water or broth. Spread the pasta to ensure it is submerged evenly and stir gently to combine all ingredients.
  3. Step 3: Pressure Cook the Pasta – Seal the Instant Pot lid and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. The short cook time ensures perfectly tender pasta without mushiness.
  4. Step 4: Release Pressure and Stir in Cheese – Perform a quick pressure release, then open the lid carefully. Stir in the ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan to create a creamy sauce without baking.
  5. Step 5: Optional Browning – For a golden, bubbly cheese finish, switch to ‘Sauté’ mode and cook uncovered for a few minutes to develop a slight crust. Alternatively, serve hot and cheesy straight from the pot.

Notes

  • Use room temperature cheese to blend more smoothly and create a creamier consistency.
  • Do not overfill the Instant Pot; keep volume below the max fill line to avoid pressure problems.
  • Stir gently after pressure cooking to keep the pasta intact and prevent clumping.
  • Add fresh chopped basil or parsley just before serving to brighten flavors.
  • If sauce is too watery, use ‘Sauté’ mode after pressure cooking to reduce it to your preferred thickness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, baked ziti, creamy pasta, one pot meal, weeknight dinner, comfort food

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