This Instant Pot Baked Ziti has the perfect blend of zesty Italian spices, ground turkey, hearty pasta and a generous helping of creamy cheeses that comes together in a pressure cooker with a stovetop option. It’s a flavorful Italian-inspired comfort food classic that’s bound to please your taste buds.
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Updated October 2023
Easy Baked Ziti Recipe: A Comforting Classic for Any Occasion
When it comes to classic comfort food, Baked Ziti is a dish that never disappoints. Its hearty Italian-inspired flavors and cheesy goodness make it the perfect choice for family dinners, potlucks, or simply satisfying your craving for a comforting meal.
Traditionally, baked ziti is a time-consuming meal to prepare, but we’ve got a game-changing method for you: Instant Pot Baked Ziti. This recipe offers all the rich flavors and cheesy goodness you love, but in a fraction of the time. Say goodbye to long hours in the kitchen and hello to a delicious, convenient pressure cooker meal with a stovetop option too.
What is Baked Ziti?
Baked Ziti is a popular Italian-American dish known for its comforting and hearty flavors. It typically consists of cooked pasta, often ziti or penne, combined with a rich and flavorful tomato-based sauce. The pasta is mixed with cheese, commonly mozzarella, and sometimes ricotta, along with various seasonings. The dish is then baked in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbling, creating a satisfying and cheesy casserole. It’s a classic comfort food loved by many for its delicious, hearty, and filling qualities.
Why the Instant Pot?
Making Baked Ziti in the Instant Pot offers several advantages:
- Speed and Convenience: The Instant Pot significantly reduces cooking time, making it a perfect choice for busy weekdays. What would traditionally take hours in the oven takes a fraction of that time in the Instant Pot.
- All-in-One Cooking: With the Instant Pot, you can sauté, pressure cook, and melt the cheese all in one pot, minimizing the number of dishes to wash.
- Consistent Results: The Instant Pot ensures even cooking, with the pasta coming out perfectly al dente and the flavors melding together beautifully.
- Adaptability: You have the flexibility to customize your protein and dietary preferences while still achieving a delicious, cheesy Baked Ziti.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Before we start crafting this delectable dish, let’s explore the key ingredients you’ll need to make the perfect baked ziti:
- Avocado Oil or Olive Oil: These oils provide a rich and flavorful base for the dish.
- Ground Lean Turkey, Ground Beef, or Italian Sausage (or Vegan Ground Protein): Choose your preferred protein or opt for a plant-based alternative such as Abbot’s Butcher for a customized experience.
- Yellow or White Onion and Garlic: These aromatic ingredients add depth and savory notes to the recipe.
- Italian Seasoning and Dried Oregano: A delightful blend of herbs and spices that infuse the dish with Italian flair.
- Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): For those who enjoy a hint of spiciness in their meal.
- Canned Unsalted Diced Tomatoes: A burst of tomato goodness that elevates the flavor profile.
- Marinara Sauce and Tomato Paste: Creating the rich, saucy essence that makes Baked Ziti so irresistible.
- Gluten-Free Ziti or Penne (or Grain-Free Alternatives): Whether you choose gluten-free pasta or a grain-free option, the pasta is the heart of this dish. Some options we like include Jovial Brown Rice pasta, Jovial Cassava Flour pasta, Cappello’s Almond Flour Pasta, Shirataki / Konjac Noodles Kaizen Low Carb Pasta or Hearts of Palm Pasta.
- Water: Essential for perfectly cooking the pasta.
- Shredded Mozzarella (Dairy-Free or Regular): The cheesy layer that crowns the ziti, offering a gooey, melty delight. We like Violife, Chao and Miyokos.
- Optional Grated Parmesan: Enhance the dish with a sprinkle of Parmesan, either regular or dairy-free.
- Optional Ricotta Cheese: For an extra layer of creamy goodness, use regular or dairy-free ricotta. We like Kite-Hill.
- Fresh Chopped Parsley: The finishing touch, adding a touch of freshness to your Baked Ziti.
Instructions: How to Make Instant Pot Baked Ziti
- Sauté and Season: Start by sautéing your choice of meat or plant-based protein with onions, garlic, Italian seasoning, and spices.
- Add Tomatoes and Pasta: Stir in diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, tomato paste, and the pasta. Ensure the pasta is well-covered with liquid.
- Pressure Cook: Set your Instant Pot to high pressure and cook for 5 minutes, followed by a 4-minute quick release. Your pasta should be al dente.
- Melt the Cheese: Switch to the sauté function and add the shredded mozzarella. Cook until the cheese is perfectly melted.
- Serve: Enjoy your Instant Pot Baked Ziti hot, optionally topping it with grated Parmesan, a dollop of ricotta, and fresh chopped parsley.
Making Stovetop Baked Ziti
Don’t have an Instant Pot? Enjoy this classic comfort dish with a simple stovetop method!
- Sauté and Brown: Heat olive oil in a skillet or dutch oven, then brown your chosen protein. Add onions, garlic, and seasonings, and cook until fragrant.
- Combine Sauce and Pasta: Stir in diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, tomato paste, pasta, and water. Ensure the pasta is submerged in enough liquid.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and let it simmer until the pasta is tender, about 13-16 minutes.
- Melt the Cheese: Remove from heat, stir in mozzarella, and cover until the cheese is completely melted, taking about 1-2 minutes.
- Serve: Dish up your Stovetop Baked Ziti, optionally topping it with grated Parmesan, a dollop of ricotta, and fresh chopped parsley.
Tips for Success: Crafting the Best Baked Ziti
Creating the perfect Baked Ziti is all about attention to detail and some handy tips. Here’s how you can ensure your dish turns out fantastic every time:
- Choose Your Protein: Select your preferred protein or opt for a plant-based alternative to make this dish suit your taste and dietary preferences.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Make sure to cook the pasta to al dente, as it will continue to cook while baking.
- Proper Layering: When assembling the dish, layering is key. Start with pasta, then sauce, and finally cheese for even distribution of flavors.
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste and adjust the seasoning to your preference before baking.
Serving Suggestions: A Feast for the Senses
Instant Pot Baked Ziti is a complete meal on its own, but you can elevate it further by serving it with:
- A Crisp Green Salad: A fresh, crunchy Vegan Caesar Salad on the side adds a delightful contrast to the richness of the ziti.
- Garlic Bread: Toasted garlic confit bread or a baguette is a classic choice to soak up the saucy goodness.
- Roasted Vegetables: A side of air fryer roasted veggetables complements the ziti beautifully.
Variations and Substitutions: Customize Your Ziti
Instant Pot Baked Ziti is highly versatile, allowing you to customize it to your preferences:
- Vegetarian or Vegan: Skip the meat and use plant-based protein for a meatless version.
- Protein: Choose from ground turkey, ground beef or baked ziti with sausage.
- Cheese Choices: Experiment with different cheeses for varied flavors.
- Gluten-Free or Grain-Free Pasta: Choose the pasta that best fits your dietary needs.
- Spice Level: Adjust the red pepper flakes to control the spiciness of your dish.
Storage and Freezer Instructions
Enjoying your Baked Ziti leftovers or preparing in advance? Here’s how to store and freeze your meal:
- Refrigeration: Place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- Freezing: If you want to freeze your Baked Ziti, portion it into freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
- Reheating: To reheat, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then warm it in the oven.
FAQ: Your Baked Ziti Questions Answered
1. Can I use a different type of pasta for Baked Ziti?
Yes, you can use different types of pasta to suit your preferences. Opt for gluten-free options, grain-free alternatives, or even whole wheat pasta to customize your dish.
2. Can I make a vegetarian or vegan Baked Ziti?
Absolutely! Skip the meat and use plant-based protein for a delicious vegetarian or vegan version. Choose dairy-free cheeses to make it fully vegan.
3. Can I adjust the spice level of Baked Ziti?
Yes, you can control the spice level by adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes. Add more for extra heat or omit them for a milder flavor.
More Instant Pot recipes you will love:
Instant Pot Pasta E Fagioli Soup
Cozy Instant Pot Minestrone Soup
This Instant Pot Baked Ziti has the perfect blend of zesty Italian spices, ground turkey, hearty pasta and a generous helping of creamy cheeses that comes together in a pressure cooker with a stovetop option. It's a flavorful Italian-inspired comfort food classic that's bound to please your taste buds.
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 lb ground lean turkey , ground beef or Italian sausage [feel free to use vegan ground protein (such as Abbot's Butcher) of choice for a plant-based option]
- 1 medium yellow or white onion , diced
- 2 garlic cloves , minced or grated
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes . optional for a kick of spice
- salt and pepper to taste
- 28 oz canned unsalted diced tomatoes
- 2 cups marinara sauce , homemade or jarred
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 16 oz dry , uncooked gluten-free ziti or gluten-free penne, we like Jovial or feel free to use any pasta of choice if not gluten-free. For a grain-free option, we like Jovial Cassava Flour pasta, Cappello's Almond Flour Pasta, Shirataki / Konjac Noodles Kaizen Low Carb Pasta or Hearts of Palm Pasta.
- 2 cups water , plus more as needed to cover the pasta
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella . dairy-free or regular - we like Violife, Chao and Miyokos
- optional grated Parmesan for serving , dairy-free or regular - we like Violife, Chao and Miyokos
- optional 1/3 cup ricotta cheese for serving , dairy-free or regular - we like Kite-Hill
- Fresh chopped parsley for serving
- Start off by turning the Instant Pot to SAUTE and add oil. Add the ground protein and crumble and brown for 1-2 minutes then add the onions, garlic and seasonings. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, tomato paste, pasta and water. Make sure the pasta is covered with enough liquid - add more as needed.
- Turn to PRESSURE COOK (or MANUAL) on high for 5 minutes. Allow to quick release after 4 minutes. Pasta should be al dente.
- Stir in the mozzarella and turn to SAUTE. Cook until the cheese is melted. Serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan a dollop with ricotta and chopped parsley, if desired.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the ground protein and cook until browned, about 2-4 minutes, making sure to crumble as it cooks. Add the onions, garlic and seasonings. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, tomato paste, pasta and water. Make sure the pasta is covered with enough liquid - add more as needed.
- Bring to a boil and cover with lid. Reduce heat and simmer until pasta is cooked through, about 13-16 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Stir in mozzarella and cover until cheese has melted, about 1-2 minutes.
- Serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan, a dollop with ricotta and chopped parsley, if desired
- How to store: Place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- How to freeze: If you want to freeze your Baked Ziti, portion it into freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
- How to reheat: To reheat, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then warm it in the oven.
Lauryn -
Made this last night and it was a hit! Even my picky son loved it, thank you!