Perfect Instant Pot Baked Ziti

Instant Pot Baked Ziti is a family favorite dinner that's made even easier when you "bake" it in an Instant Pot! 15 minutes start to finish and only a few simple ingredients. Your family will love this perfect baked ziti recipe.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword Baked Ziti, dinner, Instant Pot Recipe

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 5

Pressure Time 10

Total Time 17

Servings people

Calories 491kcal

Author Jessica

Ingredients

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups heavy whipping cream
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 cloves garlic (minced or pressed, chopped from a jar, or garlic paste)
1 box (16 oz) ziti pasta
1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese (shredded from a wedge)

Instructions

Spray the insert of a 6 QT Instant Pot with cooking spray. Pour in the chicken broth and then pour in the heavy whipping cream.
^{*It's important to pour them in separately and add the chicken broth first into the IP.}
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 2 cups heavy whipping cream
Add the salt, pepper, and garlic into the Instant Pot. No need to stir.
¾ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 2 cloves garlic
Add the pasta but DO NOT STIR. If there is a mound of pasta or pasta that is sticking way out of the liquid, then gently press it down with a wooden spoon or spatula but do not stir it into the liquid!
1 box (16 oz) ziti pasta
Evenly pour the crushed tomatoes over the pasta, and then sprinkle the basil and oregano over top the tomatoes. DO NOT STIR!
1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes, 2 teaspoons dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Secure the lid of the Instant Pot and set the valve to the 'sealing' position. Select 'manual' (or 'pressure cooker' if that's what your IP has) and change the time to 5 minutes cook time.
^{*It will take about 8 minutes to come to pressure and then the 5 minute cook time will start.}
When it's done, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes (meaning do not unseal the valve, just let the IP sit there for 10 minutes after the cook time), and then do a quick release to release the remaining pressure.
Add the parmesan cheese and stir everything together until it's well combined.
1 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese

Video

Notes

In place of the fresh garlic you can use 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder if wanted

Normally I can only find a 29 oz can of crushed tomatoes so I measure out 1 1/2 cups of crushed tomatoes and use that in the recipe. Then you can make this recipe twice with the remaining crushed tomatoes :)

For step-by-step photos please scroll up in the post because there is a picture with the steps to take when making this recipe

Nutrition