Instant Pot baked ziti is a comforting dish that combines the rich flavors of traditional baked ziti with the convenience and speed of modern cooking technology. Pair it with a side salad and some garlic bread to complete the meal.
Ingredients
- 8 oz of whole-wheat ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 lb of lean ground turkey or chicken
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups of low-sodium marinara sauce
- 1 cup of water
- 1/2 cup of part-skim ricotta cheese
- 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Instant Pot: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and add olive oil. Once hot, add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Cook the Meat: Add the minced garlic, lean ground turkey or chicken, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Cook until the meat is browned and crumbled, around 5-7 minutes.
- Layer the Ingredients: Turn off the sauté mode. Add the whole-wheat ziti pasta evenly over the meat mixture. Pour the marinara sauce and water over the pasta. Do not stir.
- Pressure Cooking: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set it to manual high pressure for 5 minutes. Once the cooking time is complete, do a quick release of the pressure.
- Add Cheese: Carefully open the lid and stir in the ricotta cheese. Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Melt Cheese: Close the lid (without sealing) for 2-3 minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil if desired, and serve hot.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
The following nutrition information is approximate and will vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes:
- Calories: 380
- Protein: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Dietary Fiber: 6g
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sodium: 450mg