Amazing Instant Pot Creamy “Baked” Ziti
Save weeknight dinner with this SUPER easy Instant Pot baked ziti recipe. It is creamy, saucy, cheesy, and so incredibly delicious! (Pro tip: you don’t have to use ziti! Any type of tube pasta will work.)
This Instant Pot “baked” ziti is straight up incredible. Life altering, really, if you are like me and are constantly searching for ways to make weeknight dinners manageable and stress-free.
Dump and Go Instant Pot Recipe
If you haven’t experienced the feeling of throwing dry pasta into the Instant Pot, walking away, and coming back a few minutes later to a saucy, creamy, delicious pasta situation…well, I’m not sure you’ve really lived.
Layer all of the ingredients (except the Parmesan cheese) in the Instant Pot.
- Broth
- Cream
- Salt, pepper, oregano, basil
- Dry ziti or penne pasta
- Crushed tomatoes
Don’t stir! Literally dump in the ingredients and go. Like, WALK AWAY.
How to Calculate Pasta Cook Time in the Instant Pot
Pasta cooks pretty darn fast in the Instant Pot. Most tube pastas will cook in 5 minutes or less.
But different brands of pasta may have slightly different cooking times listed on the package, and that may make a difference in how long you should cook it in the Instant Pot.
To figure out the cook time, take the al dente cooking time on the pasta package, cut it in half and subtract two minutes. For example: if the al dente cook time in boiling water on a pasta package indicates 12 minutes, the Instant Pot cook time will be 4 minutes.
A quick note about the burn warning
You might be worried about adding cream/milk to the Instant Pot because of the dreaded burn warning. I have an older model 6-quart Instant Pot and have never gotten the burn warning.
But I’ve heard that the burn warning happens much more often with the newer Instant Pot models (the ones that have the button that reads “pressure cook” rather than “manual” to start high pressure cooking time).
Adding the broth to the Instant Pot as the first ingredient is important to avoid this burn warning so that the cream and pasta don’t scorch on the bottom of the pot. And as the recipe instructions state: don’t stir while adding ingredients; layer them in the order given in the recipe.
If you do get the burn warning, hit cancel, open the lid, and use a spoon or spatula to dig across the bottom of the pot in case an ingredient is stuck overcooking there.
How to Add Meat to Instant Pot Ziti
You can easily add meat to this Instant Pot baked ziti by following these steps:
- Use the Instant Pot saute function to cook the ground meat of your choice (sausage, ground beef, etc)
- Drain excess grease.
- Proceed with the recipe. After adding the broth make sure to scrape up the bottom of the pot to get browned bits from cooking the meat (this helps avoid the burn warning on the Instant Pot).
This easy Instant Pot meal has been a huge favorite of ours for years. It’s so simple that I can instruct my teens to throw it together if I’m not home. And they do such a good job, that I may never reclaim the ziti-making duties again!
With over 400 5-star reviews, this recipe is a tried-and-true winner!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We loved this!! And I love that it’s crazy fast and easy. Everyone in my family declared this a repeat. -Madison
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Just made this tonight while visiting my daughters (with sweet Italian Sausage). I wanted to see if it would be fast, easy and delicious for moms “on the go”. IT WAS! Delicious – reminds me of some pasta dishes I’ve had in the North End in Boston. That good. Thanks Mel for another winner. -Laurie
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ My son has been asking for this again. It was super yummy when we made it with the cream and I was a little nervous to make it without the cream (we only had 1/4 c.), but it turned out great! I used 2% milk + 2 tbsp. cornstarch and it was yummy and creamy (maybe even creamier than last time with full cream). We also stirred in spinach right before serving, which was awesome. -Lindsey
What to Serve With This
One Year Ago: Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
Two Years Ago: Make-Ahead Refrigerator Bran Muffins
Three Years Ago: Chili Lime Tacos with Mango Salsa {Grill or Instant Pot}
Four Years Ago: Simple and Delicious Sour Cream Muffins
Five Years Ago: Skillet Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta with Broccoli
Amazing Instant Pot Creamy “Baked” Ziti
Ingredients
- 2 cups broth, I use low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups cream (see note)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 16 ounces uncooked ziti pasta or other tube-shaped pasta
- 15- ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil
- ½ to 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Lightly spray the bottom and sides of a 6-quart Instant Pot with nonstick cooking spray. Pour in the broth and cream and add the salt, pepper and garlic.
- Add the pasta; don’t stir, but if it’s mounded in the center, arrange into an even layer. Pour the crushed tomatoes evenly over the pasta and sprinkle the oregano and basil over the top. Don’t stir.
- Secure the lid of the Instant Pot, set the valve to seal, and select “manual” or “pressure cook” and dial up or down to the minutes needed –> take the cooking time on the pasta package directions, cut it in half and subtract two more minutes. So for pasta that cooks to al dente in 12 minutes, the IP cooking time would be 4 minutes (add an extra minute if you like your pasta super soft).
- Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes and then quick release the remaining pressure.
- Add the Parmesan cheese and stir thoroughly (it's ok if there are some darker, cooked spots on the bottom of the pot/bottom layer of pasta). Serve the ziti immediately with chopped, fresh basil, and additional Parmesan, if desired.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
Has anyone tried halving or freezing this recipe?
Can this be adapted to a slow cooker or the stove-top?
Someone in the comment thread left this comment about the stovetop: I made this on the stovetop. Dumped everything in the pot at the start and simmered for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The pasta (I used ziti) seemed to cook slower than if I had boiled in just water. It was fantastic! Even the kids gobbled it up. Don’t think twice about cooking on the stovetop instead of instant pot if you don’t have one, like me.
I made this recipe and added sausage. My 5 year old told me I should make this everyday and everyone went for seconds. Thank you for this easy and flavorful recipe. Total hit. Thanks Mel!
This was a hit! I used 2 cups whole milk with + 1T cornstarch and marinara from a jar. I added Ta bag of Trader Joe’s party meatballs on top and everything was delicious! Thank you Mel.
Yes, I made it and it was fantastic! I didn’t have any cream, so I substituted sour cream and it was great. My husband loved it and I’m sure thay my grandkids would eat it.
So, it does taste good but on my Duo IP it gave burned food error. The pasta was cooked at that point but not much of a sauce. I’m wondering if I should have set at less or normal instead of more? I just use pressure cook button but I mostly use more level.
This is one of our family favorites on constant repeat in our house! All three of my kids eat it which is a win in my house!
I would love some tips on how to adjust it for a stove top method instead of instant pot though for when I use it to feed large crowds! I can just barely double it in my pressure cooker!
This sounds amazing and easy! Will this recipe fit in a 3 quart Instant pot?
I haven’t made it in a 3-quart instant pot, but I think you might need to reduce the quantities to fit safely in a 3-quart instant pot.
LOVED THIS RECIPE! I used 1cup heavy cream and 1 cup almond milk with 1 tbsp cornstarch, it was perfect. I also used a little more than 15oz crushed tomatoes. I air fryed some sausage links and mixed that in with some frozen spinach at the end and it was the perfect dinner. I will ABSOLUTELY be making this again and again
Delicious and so easy and great recipe! Great for the family! And I even add ground sausage or ground beef at times!
Delicious! The whole family loved it. We added crumbled mild Italian sausage to the dish.
I was just going through your gorgeous new cookbook and this recipe jumped out at me for dinner. I followed your instructions for adding meat and browned some ground beef before. I even hand grated some Parmesan cheese because I’m trying to follow all your tips and tricks. My whole family loved it! Fresh basil was a must have- in my opinion.
I can’t wait to cook my way through the rest of your book. I’ve been following you a long time and I’m just so thrilled you had the opportunity to put out your own cookbook! Thanks again for another amazing meal Mel!
Yay, Jana! This made me so happy to read!! So, so happy you loved this recipe and hope you find many more to love in the cookbook!
Cream- regular whipping cream or heavy whipping cream???
Either will work.
Still one of our faves and so easy to double for family! Everyone gobbled it up. Was so glad I remembered to buy fresh basil this time and we ate it wit Aidell’s roasted gruyere and garlic sausages.
Super easy recipe… like, the easiest! No mess, no prep (aside from mincing fresh garlic). Made a double batch and the leftovers were just as delicious!
Hi! Does doubling work ok in a 6 qt instant pot or are you using a bigger one? Thanks!
I use an 8-quart instant pot when doubling.
Did you have to alter quantities when doubling?
Did you still cook it for the same amount of time when doubling it?
No you don’t need to change any quantities – just double everything straight across and use the same cooking time as in the recipe.
I made this on the stovetop. Dumped everything in the pot at the start and simmered for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The pasta (I used ziti) seemed to cook slower than if I had boiled in just water. It was fantastic! Even the kids gobbled it up. Don’t think twice about cooking on the stovetop instead of instant pot if you don’t have one, like me.
Did you make any adjustments to the liquid for the stovetop?
I don’t think I did…trying to remember. I had some extra liquid on hand ready just in case, but don’t think we needed it.
This is so, so good! I make it pretty often, but this week I added italian sausage and broccoli, and it was delicious. It’s the perfect busy weeknight meal!
This recipe is one of my all time favorites! I’ve made it probably 20 times over the years and love using it as a take it tray meal. I always use the milk/cornstarch/cream mix substitute and it is ALWAYS perfect. However this last time I made it I tried half and half like a few of the comments said. Don’t do it!!! The noodles were coated with tiny white milk curdle bits, as opposed to the normal, creamy sauce coating. I have never had that happen before and this would NOT recommend half and half. follow the recipe just as Mel wrote it!! 🙂 Thanks for such an amazing recipe Mel!
I don’t think I’ve posted about this before, but this is absolutely one of my favorite recipes. It’s so quick, simple, and delicious! If you’re debating trying it, just do it! You won’t regret it. I usually make it with cooked sausage in the bottom of the pot and then follow the other directions, but I’ve been known to throw in cooked meatballs instead when I’m feeling lazy or really pressed for time.
we did it with SLIGHT [3???] differences i had a FUN time and i took a picture so that i remember the ingredients. (from Caleb, age 5) but it took a short-ish-long time.
Easy enough for a 5 year old to make! (even if the 5 minutes it took to make is his description of a shortish long time. :P) Caleb, age 5, really wanted to type this comment after helping Aunt Brynn make the pasta. He had to take a picture and then work off the picture to tell me the ingredients. We used the pasta in the pantry (macaroni) instead of ziti.
That’s adorable!
This recipe has been a hit at our house for years now! It’s so flavorful, loved by all and it’s SO easy to make! I know you mentioned using ground beef, but my kids love meatballs. Have you ever used the pre-made frozen meatballs in this successfully? I’m going to try, but I’m not sure if I should put them on the bottom, or layer them on top before starting the pressure cook cycle…. What would you suggest?
I haven’t tried this with meatballs – great idea, though! I think I’d probably put them on top so they don’t burn.
We make this all the time! Love it. I want to try it with the ground beef. After cooking and removing the grease, you just leave the ground beef on the bottom of the instapot?? Do you think you could do this with chicken thighs?
Yes, I leave the ground beef in after draining the grease and mix it in with the other ingredients. I haven’t tried with chicken thighs – but it’s worth a try!
I am gluten free so I was sad that I wouldn’t be able to eat this anymore because it’s SO delicious. But I made this with Jovial foods gluten free penne pasta and cook for 5 minutes. It comes out perfect every time and my family can’t taste the difference!
Wonderful taste! BUT can I freeze leftovers?
I haven’t tried freezing leftovers, but you could try!
We really enjoy this recipe. Sometimes, crisp pepperoni between paper towels on a paper plate in the microwave and then crumble it over the pasta, or jazz it up with some bell pepper strips or something, but it’s really good as is, too.
Oh my word! I couldn’t believe how easy and delicious this pasta recipe was! I had GF pasta and a jar of sauce and the result was wonderful. I added peas leftover from the previous day.
Thank you for this recipe!!
I would like to make this for 35-40 people, so I’ll need to do it on top of the stove. Any guidance?
I haven’t tried it on the stovetop, but someone else did and left this comment: “Delicious! I made it on the stovetop as I don’t have an instapot and it was perfect. I followed the recipe and let it cook covered on the stove for 15 or so minutes and stirred half way through. I did add a little more broth near the end. You just need to monitor it. I added 1/2 cup shredded parmesan at the end. Yum!”
Thanks for a guidance
We love this recipe! Do you think it would freeze well?
I haven’t tried that – you could experiment. I definitely think it is one of those recipes that is best fresh and not frozen, but it is worth a try.
I’ve made this recipe at LEAST 20 times if not more in the past couple years. My husband loves it so much, we just made it last weekend for my baby’s baby blessing weekend, and my whole family loved it. I’ve tried it plain, with italian sausage, and with ground beef and I have to say I think ground beef is my favorite although you can’t go wrong with any of them. I made a double batch this weekend but be warned, a double batch won’t fit in the 6 qt instant pot so I needed 2 (I borrowed one from my mom). I bet a 1 and 1/2 recipe would fit. Anyway, we love this recipe. It’s so easy but everyone loves it and it feels like a fancy pasta dish. I also auctioned off a dinner at a ward fundraiser and this was the meal I made – always a hit!! Thanks Mel, can’t wait to buy your cookbook!
Finally made this last night and my whole family scraped the pot clean. This is one of the best recipes to ever hit an Instant Pot. (The fresh basil MAKES it.) So fast, so delicious and the pot was even easy to clean. This recipe has it all. Will be on our monthly rotation from this day forward. Thanks Mel!
I made this tonight subbing 2 cups whole milk with 2 Tbsp cornstarch for the cream and it turned out perfect!
As always, thanks for your amazing recipes Mel!
Great adjustments! And you are so welcome, Kali!
Delicious easy recipe. I used Italian sausage and half & Half. Worked great !!
A Favorite! We make this all the time! So good.
Wow after looking at this all I could think was how bad I want to make this! I have almost everything, except the cream. But I was wondering about something.
This almost looks and sounds like Chicken Riggies. It’s a Central New York thing so I’m not sure if its made it elsewhere. But the only thing that is missing is cut chicken breast pieces, and cut up hot cherry peppers. Not many, three maybe four would do it.
There is something about the tanginess from the peppers along with the heat that makes the meal. Other than those two things I can’t think of any other ingredients that go in. It’s been a number of years since I’ve made it. Do you think it would work out by adding the chicken and peppers to the recipe? I’m so new to the Instant Pot that I can’t be sure what the final result would be. 🙂
I think that should work just fine!
Made this recipe today and WOW – so delicious. I cooked ground beef in the IP before adding the other ingredients. I was a little nervous about adding the cream at the beginning but it worked perfectly. I’m adding it to our list of favorites and I think next time I will try some italian or andouille sausage with it. Thanks Mel.
Has anyone tried this with a stovetop pressure cooker? Wondering how the instructions vary? I tried just cooking on high in a store top pressure cooker for 7 minutes and the pasta was still hard. Waiting for it to get to high pressure could take like 20-30 minutes…just wondering if anyone has experience with this. Thanks!
Another amazing dish!! My kids make this themselves cause it’s so easy. My kids would eat this every night if I let them…so yummy!!
10 out of 10! Made this for dinner tonight first cooked a pound of Italian sausage and then followed all the other instructions. It really was fabulous. I used the bigger pasta and I actually thought it worked out very well. I will definitely make us again maybe with chicken.
Made it again tonight and I put it in small ceramic pie plates that were individual portions. Topped with provolone cheese and put it under the broiler for a few minutes and then topped with parsley.
Hi! Loveee this recipe but we have a big fam! Have you tried doubling it? If so, do I keep the times the same?
Yes, it doubles great but you’ll need an 8-quart instant pot for a double batch. Cooking time should be the same for a doubled batch.
This was sooooo delicious! My whole family loved it! I added turkey sausage to the recipe and everything turned out perfect! I will definitely be making this again.
Easy and delicious! Leftovers reheated well the next day. Will be making this again. Thanks
I don’t know what I did wrong. I used half n half and it separated. Any suggestions?
I used a cup of half-and-half and a cup of heavy cream. I did not have any problems. I’m actually making it again right now with all half-and-half. Maybe just give it a really good stir before you add in the Parmesan? That’s the only thing I could think of.
I made it with only half & half with no problems. Turned out great. I did at Italian sausage
This was an absolute hit!!! We added ground beef to it. Definitely family favorite right here.
Thank You for this recipe, can’t wait to try it as it sounds delicious!
This is one of my family’s favorite recipes and is in our frequent rotation of weekly meals! I add cooked, ground Italian sausage & peas to ours. My kids always request the leftovers for lunch!
Could this be made in slow cooker? This sounds wonderful, but I don’t have an instapot.
I haven’t tried it in a slow cooker, Betty – but lots of people have made it on the stovetop with good results.
This recipe was so fast easy and yummy! I did add a Boursin garlic & chive cream cheese round ( available in a 3 pack at Costco, mine needed used) at the end when I added the Parmesan cheese. The flavor was fabulous and the pasta cooking tip so helpful. Will make this again for sure.
Thanks! So excited to try in my insta-pot. Any trial with a bag of spinach tossed in also?
My daughter and I have made this too many times to count! It is always so delicious, and everyone loves it. So nice to turn on the instant pot and not worry till it’s time to serve!!
I didn’t make this recipe but have another question for you. I received an air fryer for Christmas. Do you have one? I am loving it but hoped you might have some recipes for it.
Thanks.
Hi Liz, I do have an air fryer but have to confess that I hardly ever use it other than my kids using it to reheat leftovers or make frozen pre-cooked chicken from Costco. Sorry I’m not more help!