See the step by step recipe video down in the recipe card. Let me just say that, yes, I cheated, again. This Instant Pot Baked Ziti is, in fact, not baked — but we have all of that some deliciousness going on in here, minus all the hard work! We are big pasta lovers, and my kids will eat just about anything when it’s hiding under a blanket of cheese 😉 (Some other examples? This Healthier Skillet Lasagna, Healthier Hamburger Helper, and this Healthier Chicken Spaghetti Bake). I love using high fibre (white or whole wheat) pasta, and extra veggies like spinach and red peppers to get as many good things into the family as possible! I know we all have those days when the family rolls their eyes at our creations, but this Instant Pot pasta is always a win here (no Instant Pot? This Rigatoni Pasta Bake has the same cozy vibes). Sometimes it’s nice to have a few meals in your back pocket that you can enjoy together without anyone complaining! (Plus, they’re still getting a whack of fibre, protein, and veggies under that cheese).
Instant Pot Baked Ziti ingredients and substitutions:
Ground beef: I use lean ground beef in here, but you can use regular or extra lean as well. If you use regular ground beef you may want to drain some of the fat after browning. (Tip: Check out my post on how to cook frozen ground beef in the Instant Pot!) Onions: Any onions will do, or you can leave them out if you don’t have any! For some onion flavor, add in ¼ teaspoon onion powder. Peppers: I love adding chopped red bell peppers in my Baked Ziti because they blend right in! You can use any bell pepper, or swap in some jalapeno or chili peppers for extra kick. Seasonings: this is an easy place to get creative! You can mix and match your herbs and seasonings to suit your tastes. Broth: I always choose low sodium broth. If you are using regular broth, you may want to reduce the salt to compensate. Spinach: Fresh or frozen spinach both work well in here! No one will even know it’s there 😉 Diced tomatoes: I recommend diced tomatoes for this recipe because it adds some of the thin liquid necessary for pressure cooking (while crushed tomatoes are too thick). If you’re not a fan of tomatoes, you may not even notice them once everything is cooked down into a sauce. Pasta: Any short pasta will do! Penne, rotini, bow tie, or ziti — as long as it is a similar size and shape.
How to make Baked Ziti in the pressure cooker:
Tips and Tricks for Making this Instant Pot Baked Ziti:
Feel free to mix up the meat in this recipe: try ground turkey or Italian sausage instead! Feel free to mix up the veggies in this recipe: add mushrooms, zucchini, shredded carrots, whatever your family enjoys! (p.s. Shred or puree extra veggies and cook them with the ground beef, and your selective eaters will never know the difference!) I have actually made double this recipe in my 6 quart electric pressure cooker and it works just fine! It makes a ton though, which is why I’m sharing this smaller portion. If you like to have leftovers or you have a large family, you may want to double the recipe. Stir in ¼ to ½ cup cream when you stir the pasta after cooking, for a creamy baked ziti
How to store leftover pasta:
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Let cool slightly before placing in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply scoop out desired portion (or heat all of it) and add a splash of water or broth to the cold pasta. Microwave on high or heat in a skillet on medium, stirring occasionally until heated through. Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again. Register Now Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel — I love to see what you’re making!
