Instant Pot Baked Ziti offers a revolutionary shortcut to a classic comfort meal. Imagine tender ziti pasta enveloped in a rich, creamy, and cheesy tomato sauce, studded with savory Italian sausage – all cooked to perfection in your pressure cooker. This one-pot wonder promises a deeply satisfying pasta night with minimal effort and maximum flavor, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights.

A Note from the Author

Our Family’s Most Requested Pasta Dish!

Baked ziti has always held a special place in our family’s heart, a true comfort food that brings everyone to the table. However, its traditional lengthy preparation often meant it was reserved for weekends or special occasions. As a busy parent, I found myself longing for a quicker way to enjoy this beloved dish without sacrificing any of its rich, comforting essence.

One evening, driven by a desire for a speedy weeknight solution, I decided to experiment with my Instant Pot. Could this magical appliance truly deliver a classic baked ziti in a fraction of the time? The result was nothing short of miraculous! With just four minutes of pressure cooking, followed by a quick natural release, dinner was ready. The pasta was perfectly tender, the Italian sausage infused the sauce with incredible depth, and the sauce itself was wonderfully creamy and irresistibly cheesy. My kids were instantly enamored, and what began as a simple experiment has now become the number one pasta request in our household. This Instant Pot Baked Ziti truly changed our dinner game, proving that convenience and gourmet flavor can absolutely go hand-in-hand.

Instant Pot Baked Ziti: Your Go-To Recipe for a Quick and Cheesy Dinner

Say goodbye to long baking times and multiple pots! This Instant Pot Baked Ziti recipe is designed for maximum flavor and minimal fuss. Combining hearty Italian sausage with tender ziti pasta in a luscious tomato-Parmesan cream sauce, it’s a robust and satisfying meal that comes together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for any night of the week when you crave comforting Italian flavors without the lengthy preparation.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with this One-Pot Ziti

• Unbelievably Fast: Forget waiting for water to boil or a casserole to bake. Your Instant Pot handles everything, cutting down cook time dramatically. You’ll be serving a delicious meal in under 30 minutes from start to finish.
• Effortless One-Pot Wonder: From browning the sausage to simmering the sauce and cooking the pasta, every step happens in a single pot. This means less cleanup and more time enjoying your dinner.
• Rich and Creamy Texture: Heavy cream and Parmesan cheese create a velvety, luxurious sauce that perfectly coats every piece of ziti. It’s the kind of comforting creaminess that satisfies your soul.
• Deep, Savory Flavor: Italian sausage, tomato paste, and a blend of aromatic spices build layers of robust flavor, ensuring every bite is bursting with savory goodness.
• Family-Friendly & Customizable: This dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for all ages. Plus, it’s easy to adapt to different tastes and dietary needs with simple ingredient swaps.

Instant Pot Baked Ziti Ingredients: Essential & Adaptable

Crafting the perfect Instant Pot Baked Ziti starts with quality ingredients, but also offers flexibility to suit your pantry and palate. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and how you can customize it.

How To Make Instant Pot Baked Ziti: A Simple Guide

Creating this delicious Instant Pot Baked Ziti is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect, creamy, and flavorful pasta dish every time.

1. Sauté the Aromatics: Begin by browning your Italian sausage and diced onion in a splash of olive oil directly in the Instant Pot. Break the sausage into small pieces as it cooks, ensuring it’s fully browned.
2. Build the Flavor Base: Stir in the tomato paste and all your seasonings, allowing them to toast slightly until fragrant. This step deepens the overall flavor of your sauce.
3. Deglaze the Pot: Pour in the chicken broth, then use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. This is crucial to prevent a “burn” notice and ensures all those flavorful bits become part of your sauce.
4. Layer the Ingredients: Carefully add the uncooked ziti pasta, water, and heavy cream. It’s important to resist stirring the pasta once it’s in, as this can affect how it cooks under pressure and prevent a burn notice. Simply press the pasta gently to submerge it in the liquid.
5. Pressure Cook to Perfection: Secure the lid, set the valve to “seal,” and pressure cook on high for just 4 minutes. Once cooking is complete, allow a natural pressure release for 4 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure. This two-stage release ensures perfectly cooked pasta.
6. Finish with Creaminess & Freshness: Once the lid is removed, the dish might appear a bit liquidy, but don’t worry! Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese gradually until it melts into a rich, creamy sauce. Adjust seasonings as needed and garnish with fresh basil for a vibrant finish.

Pro Tips for the Best Instant Pot Baked Ziti

• Don’t Skip the Deglazing: This step is non-negotiable! Scraping up all the browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the pot after sautéing not only adds immense flavor but also prevents the dreaded “burn” message on your Instant Pot.
• Layer, Don’t Stir (Initially): When adding the pasta and liquids, layer them as instructed and resist the urge to stir the pasta into the sauce before pressure cooking. This layering technique helps prevent pasta from clumping and signals to the Instant Pot that there’s enough liquid at the bottom to build pressure correctly.
• Fresh Basil for Brightness: While dried herbs are used in cooking, fresh basil as a garnish elevates the dish significantly. Gently tear the leaves instead of chopping them to release their aromatic oils more effectively.
• Adjust the Spice Level: If you love heat, use spicy Italian sausage and add a pinch more red pepper flakes. For a milder version, stick with sweet Italian sausage and offer red pepper flakes on the side for individual preference.
• Give it a Gentle Stir Post-Pressure Cook: After releasing pressure, the dish will look quite liquidy. A gentle stir will help distribute the starches and begin the thickening process. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools slightly.
• Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Always taste your sauce before serving and adjust salt, pepper, or other seasonings as needed. Different brands of broth and sausage can vary in sodium content.

Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Baked Ziti

Can I use other types of pasta?

While ziti is recommended for its classic shape and texture, you can use other short, tubular pastas like penne or rigatoni. Ensure their recommended stovetop cook time is similar to ziti for best results in the Instant Pot.

Why did my Instant Pot give a “burn” notice?

A “burn” notice usually occurs if there are bits of food stuck to the bottom of the pot, preventing proper pressure buildup. This is why thorough deglazing (scraping up browned bits with broth) is crucial. Also, ensure you don’t stir the pasta into the sauce before pressure cooking, as starchy pasta can stick to the bottom.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Absolutely! Omit the Italian sausage and instead use a plant-based ground meat substitute, or add extra vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini during the sauté stage for added flavor and texture. You can also use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

What if I don’t have heavy cream?

Heavy cream is highly recommended for its richness and stability under pressure. If you must substitute, half-and-half can be used, but stir it in after the pressure cooking cycle is complete, as it’s more prone to curdling. Avoid using regular milk.

Can I add extra cheese?

Yes, please do! While the recipe calls for a generous amount, feel free to stir in a handful of shredded mozzarella or provolone along with the Parmesan at the end for an even cheesier result. You can also sprinkle extra on top before serving.

Pin
Print

No ratings yet

Instant Pot Baked Ziti

By
Chelsea Lords

Instant Pot Baked Ziti is creamy, cheesy, and loaded with Italian sausage in a rich tomato-Parmesan sauce. Quick, easy, and perfect for weeknights!

Prep Time:

20 minutes

Cook Time:

8 minutes

Total Time:

28 minutes

Servings:

6
servings

Video

Watch how to make this delicious Instant Pot Baked Ziti!

View Recipe Video

Equipment

• Instant Pot 6-quart

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 16 ounces ground Italian sausage (see note 1)
• 1 cup finely diced yellow onion
• 6 ounces tomato paste (see note 2)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon fennel seed (see note 3)
• 1-1/2 teaspoons paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1-1/4 cups water
• 2 cups heavy cream (see note 4)
• 16 ounces uncooked ziti pasta (see note 5)
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (see note 6)
• Fresh basil for serving, optional

Instructions

1. Set a 6-quart Instant Pot to “sauté” mode. Add olive oil, followed by the Italian sausage. Sear for about 1 minute on each side before adding in the diced onion. Cook until sausage is fully browned, breaking it into smaller pieces as it cooks. Once browned, mix in the entire can of tomato paste and all the seasonings. Stir well, sautéing until fragrant, 1–3 more minutes. Turn off Instant Pot.
2. Pour in chicken broth, water, and cream. Stir well to combine. Gently pour in pasta, but don’t stir. Simply press down all pasta pieces below the liquid.
3. Secure the Instant Pot lid, making sure the valve is set to “seal.” Select the “manual” or “pressure cook” setting and dial up or down to get to 4 minutes. Allow the Instant Pot to come to pressure and cook. Once done, let it release pressure naturally for 4 minutes. Immediately release the remaining pressure by carefully hitting the valve to release. Immediately remove the lid. It will look liquidy at first.
4. Carefully remove the metal insert from the Instant Pot and set it on a trivet. Stir the contents gently with a wooden spoon. Gradually add the grated Parmesan, 1/4 cup at a time, stirring well between each addition to ensure it’s fully melted and integrated into the sauce. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if necessary (I typically add another 1/4 tsp salt here).
5. If desired, mix through finely chopped basil. Serve the ziti while it’s hot and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Use mild or spicy sausage based on your preference—both work! Any package size close to the recipe works, but remove casings if needed. No need to drain off the grease in this recipe!

Note 2: Stick to tomato paste; it’s far more concentrated than other tomato products, which we need for this recipe.

Note 3: Measure and then crush the fennel seeds (using a mortar and pestle or by pounding in a bag with the bottom of a frying pan) and add them in. Ground fennel is stronger, so you’ll need less if substituting.
Note 4: I don’t recommend swapping out the heavy cream. It balances the acidity of the tomato paste and has enough fat to cook well in the Instant Pot. When I tested milk, it curdled!
Note 5: Stick to ziti for best results! If you’re in a bind, look for a similar-sized pasta, but make sure the recommended boil time matches ziti’s.
Note 6: Add Parmesan slowly, stirring gently between additions for a smooth melt.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To freeze, place in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Reheat thoroughly before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving |
Calories: 927kcal |
Carbohydrates: 70g |
Protein: 30g |
Fat: 59g |
Saturated Fat: 30g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 20g |
Cholesterol: 163mg |
Sodium: 1388mg |
Potassium: 809mg |
Fiber: 4g |
Sugar: 9g |
Vitamin A: 1783IU |
Vitamin C: 12mg |
Calcium: 250mg |
Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Enjoyed this recipe? Share your thoughts below!