Imagine a mouthwatering pasta dish that transforms from raw ingredients to a creamy, bubbling masterpiece in just 30 minutes - without hours of complicated preparation! This Perfect Instant Pot Baked Ziti is about to become your new go-to weeknight dinner that will have your family begging for seconds. Forget about traditional baked ziti that takes forever to prepare; this recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 12 oz. ziti pasta
- 1 jar marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by measuring out ziti pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses.
- Add olive oil to the bottom of the Instant Pot inner pot, ensuring even coating.
- Place uncooked ziti pasta into the Instant Pot, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- Pour marinara sauce over the pasta, ensuring it covers the pasta completely.
- Carefully add water to the pot, gently stirring to prevent pasta from sticking together.
- Drop spoonfuls of ricotta cheese across the top of the pasta and sauce mixture.
- Seal the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the valve is set to "Sealing" position.
- Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes, allowing pasta to absorb flavors and cook thoroughly.
- Once cooking completes, perform a quick release of pressure.
- Open lid and stir pasta, ensuring even sauce distribution.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Close lid and let residual heat melt the cheeses for 2-3 minutes.
- Serve hot, garnishing with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Tips
- Use freshly grated cheese for the best melting and flavor - pre-shredded cheese can contain anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
- Make sure to spread pasta evenly in the pot and pour sauce completely over it to prevent any dry spots or uncooked pasta.
- The water is crucial for creating steam and helping pasta cook perfectly, so don't skip this ingredient.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of Italian seasoning or some garlic powder to the sauce before cooking.
- Let the ziti rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the sauce to thicken and cheese to set slightly.
- If you prefer a crispier top, transfer the ziti to a broiler-safe dish and broil for 2-3 minutes after cooking.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 55mg
