Amazing Instant Pot Creamy "Baked" Ziti

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So, this was amazing. Like a 9. And it is SO easy. SO SO EASY. YUMMMM. This came from melskitchencafe.com, and it’s a keeper. You could pair it with some sautéed mushrooms and salmon or chicken for a more elaborate meal.

Amazing Instant Pot Creamy "Baked" Ziti


Ingredients

  • 2 cups broth (I use low-sodium chicken broth)
  • 2 cups cream (see note for lightened up substitutions) I did half cream and 50% half and half (I actually did 1 1/4 cups of half and half)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt Some crushed red pepper flakes would also be good, not a ton, but just a bit
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder) I doubled this
  • 16 ounces uncooked ziti pasta or other tube-shaped pasta I did penne and it was probably a slight bit less than 16 oz.
  • 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes I did diced tomatoes plus 2 Tbs. tomato paste and blended it together
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1/2 to 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese I did 1/2 cup
  • Fresh basil, for serving (optional) A MUST

So, you spray the 6-quart InstantPot with nonstick cooking spray. And then, you pour the cream and chicken broth into the pressure cooker and add the fresh garlic and salt and pepper. Then, you put the pasta in but you don’t stir it. You just kind of even it all out. Then. you dump the tomatoes on top and then  you add the dried herbs, but don’t stir it.  Then, you put it on manual pressure (high pressure) for this magical formula time (look at the pasta directions, cut it in half, minus 2 minutes, and that’s your time i.e. Mine said 11 minutes, so I rounded down to 10, cut it in half (that’s 5 for you math challenged people) then subtract 2 for a total of 3 minutes. Then, after it beeps, you leave it on keep warm for 10 minutes, then release the pressure, add the parmesan cheese and basil. Stir, then MAGIC.

https://www.melskitchencafe.com/instant-pot-creamy-baked-ziti/

Comments

  1. thejohnmfamilyMay 9, 2019 at 11:38 AM

    I used 2 cups of half and half and t hen 1/2 cup of cream and it was still awesome. I also added about 1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes

    ReplyDelete
  2. StefMay 13, 2019 at 8:44 AM

    I only used half and half and thought it was great. I also added 1/2 lb. Italian sausage.

    ReplyDelete
  3. thejohnmfamilyJune 8, 2019 at 8:44 AM

    I think it needs a bit of cream and I depressurize after 6 minutes and it's totally cooked

    ReplyDelete
  4. thejohnmfamilyNovember 4, 2020 at 5:54 PM

    pasta ratio 1 1/2 cups liquid, 1/2 tsp salt and bit of oil for every 4 oz. Take the time, cut it in half, and minus 2 minutes

    https://tidbits-marci.com/perfect-pressure-cooker-pasta/

    ReplyDelete
  5. thejohnmfamilyFebruary 12, 2022 at 7:05 PM

    evaporated milk doesn't really work

    ReplyDelete

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