Pasta comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are common throughout Italy, while others are limited to a particular region or town.
There is even pasta that is forced through a die, then cut to the proper length and dried. This type of pasta is referenced as “Extruded Pasta.”
A Home Kitchen Extruder Pasta Maker
Ziti is an extruded pasta, originating in Naples, Campania, Italy.
In Naples, ziti is the traditional pasta served at weddings. It is referred to as Zita or bride’s pasta.
Ziti in the US is most commonly associated with the Italian-American dish known as, “Baked Ziti.”
If You Love Gluten-Free Pasta – You’ll Enjoy Serving This Gluten-Free Penne with Smoked Bacon and Butternut Squash At Your Dinner Table
Instant Pot Gluten-Free Baked Ziti
This recipe has it all, melty cheese topping, tender gluten-free pasta and lots of ricotta-laced sauce.
1 tablespoon olive oil
12 ounces ground beef
2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon minced garlic (about 1 clove)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon fennel seed
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 (24 oz.) jar marinara sauce *See Cook’s Notes
1 cup cup water
8 ounces uncooked ziti or penne pasta
1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
4 ounces pre-shredded 6-cheese Italian blend cheese (about 1 cup)
2 tablespoons torn fresh basil, for garnish
Cook’s Note
For the marinara sauce, get creative and choose one with additional ingredients (doing so is optional). Such as a marinara with basil and garlic. Or a garden style marinara. With this recipe we chose to use a marinara made with real cream and vodka.
On the Instant Pot select SAUTÉ then HIGH temperature and allow to preheat.
Add oil and beef to inner pot. Cook, stirring to crumble meat until browned, about 6 minutes.
Next stir in Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, fennel seed, and pepper; cook until fragrant, stirring constantly, about 1 minute. Press CANCEL.
Add marinara sauce and 1 cup water, stirring until well combined. Scatter pasta over sauce mixture, pressing to submerge (do NOT stir).
Cover cooker with lid, and lock in place. Turn steam release to SEALING position. Select MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK setting. Select HIGH pressure for 8 minutes. NOTE: It will take 10 to 12 minutes for cooker to come up to pressure before cooking begins.
When cooking has finished, carefully turn steam release handle to VENTING position, and let steam fully escape (red float valve will drop. It may take 2 to 3 minutes for steam to escape). Remove lid from Instant Pot.
Gently stir in ricotta. Sprinkle Italian blend cheese on top, and close lid again. Do not turn Instant Pot on, rather leave lid on until cheese is melted, about 3 minutes.
Spoon the Baked Ziti from the Instant Pot to plates and garnish with fresh basil, and serve.
Another Gluten-Free Pasta Dish – Roasted Butternut Squash & Sausage with Gluten-Free Penne Pasta
Find more Instant Pot recipes by typing “Instant Pot” into the search box and click Search.
More Deliciously Yummy Recipes
- Homemade Hash Browned Potatoes
- Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
- Cooking With Coriander
- Cooking With Walnuts
- Cooking With Ginger
