Instant Pot Baked Ziti (plus Stove Top instructions)

Instant Pot Baked Ziti – the perfect comfort food dinner for busy weeknights. Best of all, everything is made completely in an electric pressure cooker – even the pasta. Plus stove top instructions.

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Cold busy weeknights call for another easy Instant Pot recipe again. Instant Pot Baked Pasta. Complete comfort food bliss!

My kids are crazing about cheesy pasta and adore the baked ziti at Olive Garden (especially paired with their amazing bread sticks).

I make a one pot ziti for them a few times a month. But this Instant Pot Baked Ziti is my new favorite way. Everything is made entirely in the pressure cooker – even the pasta.

 How to make Instant Pot Baked Ziti

1. Start off by turning the [amazon_textlink asin=’B00FLYWNYQ’ text=’Instant Pot’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’lifmadswe09-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’e2c0b80e-90ae-11e8-b625-95a61131331c’] to SAUTE. Brown the meat along with the onions, garlic and seasonings.
2. Add the diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, tomato paste and water.
3. Turn to PRESSURE COOK on high for 5 minutes. Allow to quick release after 4 minutes.
4. Stir in the mozzarella and place the lid back on the Instant Pot to allow the cheese to melt.
5. Remove lid, serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan and chopped parsley, if desired..

Substitutions for this Instant Pot Baked Ziti:

Can I use another meat besides ground turkey?

• Yes, absolutely. Feel free to use ground beef, chicken, pork, Italian sausage or any other protein of your choice

What if I don’t have dry ziti – can I use another pasta?

• Yes, you can use penne, rotini or any other small tubular pasta. I haven’t tried this with spaghetti or rigatoni but would love to hear if you do.

I don’t have ricotta – can I add another type of cheese that my family prefers instead?

• Yes, feel free to add cottage cheese or more mozzarella if you like.
• You can mix the Mozzarella cheese throughout the pasta or sprinkle on top, as I did.
• If you would like a browned cheese crust to your baked ziti, transfer the pasta to an oven-safe casserole dish and place under broiler for 3-4 minutes, until cheese is browned and bubbly

More Instant Pot recipes you might like:

Instant Pot Rice with Teriyaki Chicken and Vegetables

Instant Pot Pasta E Fagioli Soup

Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

4.73 from 47 votes

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Instant Pot Baked Ziti

Prep Time

12 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

22 mins

 

Instant Pot Baked Ziti - the perfect comforting dish for busy weeknights. Best of all, everything is made completely in a one pot pressure cooker - even the pasta. Plus stovetop instructions

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: baked pasta dinners, baked ziti, easy Italian dinners, instant pot pasta recipe, one pot pasta recipe

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 583 kcal

Author: Kelly

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lb ground lean turkey ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 medium yellow or white onion diced
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
• salt and pepper to taste
• 28 oz canned unsalted diced tomatoes
• 2 cups marinara sauce homemade or jarred
• 6 oz tomato paste
• 16 oz uncooked ziti or penne pasta
• 2 cups water plus more as needed to cover the pasta
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
• Grated Parmesan for serving
• 1/3 cup ricotta cheese for topping (optional)
• Fresh chopped parsley for serving

Instructions

TO MAKE IN AN INSTANT POT:

1. Start off by turning the Instant Pot to SAUTE and add oil. Add the meat and crumble and brown for 1-2 minutes then add the onions, garlic and seasonings. Add salt and pepper to taste.
2. 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.

3. Turn to PRESSURE COOK (or MANUAL) on high for 5 minutes. Allow to quick release after 4 minutes. Pasta should be al dente.
   

4. 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.

TO MAKE ON THE STOVETOP:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the meat 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.
2. 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.
3. Bring to a boil and cover with lid. Reduce heat and simmer until pasta is cooked through, about 13-16 minutes.
4. Remove from heat. Stir in mozzarella and cover until cheese has melted, about 1-2 minutes.
5. Serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan, a dollop with ricotta and chopped parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Instant Pot Baked Ziti

Amount Per Serving (1 g)

Calories 583 Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Fat 15g23%

Saturated Fat 6g30%

Cholesterol 70mg23%

Sodium 1077mg45%

Potassium 1244mg36%

Carbohydrates 73g24%

Fiber 6g24%

Sugar 12g13%

Protein 38g76%

Vitamin A 1250IU25%

Vitamin C 24.5mg30%

Calcium 270mg27%

Iron 5.1mg28%

* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.