Amazing Instant Pot Creamy "Baked" Ziti

For 8 servings, Amazing Instant Pot Creamy "Baked" Ziti keeps the list centered on broth, cream and salt. Set aside about 40 minutes.

• Yield 8 servings
• Ready in 40 minutes
• Prep 35 minutes
• Cook 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups broth (I use low-sodium chicken broth)
• 2 cups cream
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 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 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1/2 to 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil (for serving (optional))

Instructions

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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).
4. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes and then quick release the remaining pressure.
5. 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.

Give it a minute off the heat, then serve it while it is still hot.