Instant Pot Ziti with Tomato Sauce. Date Night Quick Pasta Meal with Ziti, sprinkled with vegan parm and fresh herbs. 1 Pot! Vegan Soyfree Recipe. Easily Glutenfree, Nutfree. Jump to Recipe
Sometimes you just need a simple pasta meal! And in a jiffy. This Ziti with herbed tomato pasta sauce fits just there. Put everything in an Instant Pot, pressure cook and done. 20 minutes to a fabulous meal. Add some vegan parm, cashew milk or vegan mozzarella for creamier or cheesier flavor. Add some veggies in with the sauce, fresh herbs for garnish and serve with some crusty garlic bread.
This Vegan Ziti comes together really quickly. It has some amazing flavor from the gently toasted garlic, tomato sauce that gets cooked to a wonderful flavor under pressure, and the pasta that cooks right with it. Sprinkle with some toasted breadcrumbs and vegan parm for a Baked Ziti kind of effect. Saucepan instructions in notes and tips for cooking pasta in Instant Pot below.
More Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Lasagna Soup with Red lentils. – So Easy
- IP Tikka Masala Simmer Sauce GF
- Instant Pot Vegan Butter Chickin(soycurls). GF – Creamy, Delicious
- Japanese Veggie Curry. GF
- IP Lentil Chili. GF
- IP Mushroom Wild Rice Soup. GF
- IP Potato Chickpea Soup. GF
Tips to cook pasta in Instant Pot
- Pasta and tomato based sauces in the Instant Pot pressure cooker can easily end up with issues such as burn errors, uneven cooking etc. For a well cooked pasta, mix with the sauce really well, pressure cook time for pasta is a min or so more than half the time listed on the pasta package. Letting the pasta sit for a few minutes before release helps cook any unevenly heated portions.
- Tomatoes and tomato based sauces easily scorch the bottom of the pot during sauteing. The scorching or sticking at the bottom is usually the reason the pot gives a burn message under pressure. Try some things like using oil, using a smoother tomato sauce rather than chunky, switching off saute earlier to avoid scorching, mixing the sauce or ingredients really well so that nothing is stuck to the bottom, and use a bit more liquid if the sauce is too thick.
- I also find that cooking the on saute actually helps, as it allows you to see if there are ingredients that are going to scorch when under pressure. If they start sticking or scorching during saute itself, there are more chances of them sticking under pressure. The heating up of the ingredients, allows the pot to come to pressure quickly, which also reduces the time the ingredients have to keep settling to the bottom.
- If you are adding veggies, add them finely chopped.
Recipe Card
Instant Pot Ziti with Tomato Sauce
Instant Pot Baked Ziti with Tomato Sauce. Date Night Quick Pasta with Ziti, sprinkled with vegan parm and fresh herbs. Vegan Ziti Soyfree Recipe. Easily Glutenfree, Nutfree.
Servings: 4
Calories: 175kcal
Ingredients
- 1 tsp oil
- 4 cloves of garlic , minced
- 14 to 16 oz (14 oz) tomato sauce, marinara, pizza sauce or tomato puree
- 1.5 tsp italian herbs (thyme, oregano, basil, use less or more depending on sauce used
- 1/4 tsp salt (less or more depending on if the tomato sauce is salted or not)
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp ) pepper flakes
- 2 cups (120 g) uncooked Ziti or other pasta such as penne , 6 oz or 200 gm
- 1.25 cup (312.5 ml) water , 1.5 cups if the sauce used is thicker
- 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/8 tsp (0.13 tsp) white pepper
- vegan parm as needed , vegan mozzarella (optional)
- fresh basil or herbs as needed
Instructions
- Start the Instant Pot on saute. Add oil and garlic and cook until the garlic is starting to get golden. (see saucepan instructions in notes)
- Add the tomato sauce, herbs, pepper flakes and salt and mix in. Switch off saute. Add pasta and water and mix well to dislodge any stuck bits. Press the pasta into the sauce so the pasta is well covered in the sauce.Alternatively, add water, veggies if using, herbs, salt and mix in. Then add tomato sauce on top and pasta and press just to cover the pasta but dont mix. (some IPs are more prone to burn errors that others so try both to see which works. Also see tips above)
- Close the lid and pressure cook for 6 mins. (4 to 7 mins depending on the pasta used). Quick release after 4 mins.
- Add white pepper, olive oil , vegan parm, or vegan mozzarella and mix in. Garnish with more parm and fresh herbs.
- For tomato cream sauce, add 1/3 cup cashew cream and some nutritional yeast and mix in. Saute to bring to just a boil. Garnish and serve
Notes
For gluten-free, use glutenfree pasta.
Saucepan: Cook the pasta according to instructions on the package and set aside. Heat a skillet over medium heat and follow step 1 and step 2 without any water. Simmer the sauce for 2-3 mins, adjust flavor and salt and fold inthe pasta. Add the white pepper, basil, vegan parm or vegan mozz and mix in. Cover, switch off heat and let sit for 3 mins for the flavors to meld. Garnish with more vegan parm or toasted breadcrumbs.
Nutrition is for 1 serve
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Instant Pot Ziti with Tomato Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 175
Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Sodium 501mg22%
Potassium 454mg13%
Carbohydrates 30g10%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 580IU12%
Vitamin C 8.9mg11%
Calcium 37mg4%
Iron 1.9mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Laura
If I want to substitute quinoa for lentils in many of your IP recipes that use lentils (my son is allergic to lentils, green peas and white beans), would I use dry or cooked quinoa? Are there any other substitutes for lentils in your recipes that might work? Would tofu or soy crumbles also work?
Lynn
Hi Laura, I’ve made this a dozen times this year alone.
If you add quinoa and an equal amount of extra liquid, I think it should be ok. (Quinoa cooks in 1 minute with 1:1 quinoa:liquid in general.)
We love to add “meatballs” that we either make ourselves or buy commercially. We keep them frozen then just mix in (still frozen) with no change in time or ingredients, they cook perfectly and don’t fall apart.
Richa has a meatball recipe that uses chickpeas so I guess that won’t work for your son (https://www.veganricha.com/pesto-spaghetti-vegan-meatballs-chickpea-walnut/#wprm-recipe-container-19367). Her broccoli balls would be good too (https://www.veganricha.com/vegan-broccoli-balls/#wprm-recipe-container-27425). Sometimes I make steamed seitan balls with Italian herbs.
Soy curls or TVP would be great in this too. If you rehydrate them before putting them in, you shouldn’t need any modification to the recipe. Without rehydrating, I might start at maybe 1/2 cup tvp crumbles and 1/4 cup extra water.
Just some ideas, I hope you find something that works for you. This is a staple for us! Sometimes we are too lazy to saute garlic, still great 😉
Jennifer
If I wanted to add red or brown lentils would you recommend that I cook it any differently?
Richa
Add in 1/4 cup red lentils. Brown lentils won’t cook in the cook time. Also add in 1/2 cup more water
Laura
If I want to substitute quinoa for lentils in many of your IP recipes that use lentils (my son is allergic to lentils, green peas and white beans), would I use dry or cooked quinoa? Are there any other substitutes for lentils in your recipes that might work? Would tofu or soy crumbles also work?
Shruti
Made this for lunch today! What a great recipe. The pasta was soft and saucy. Added some leftover shredded rotisserie chicken for more protein. Since I’m new to using Instant Pot, I was worried about the burn alert but it turned out perfectly when I followed the recipe. And under 20 mins! Never made a pasta so quick without any mess.
Monika
My first pasta recipe in the IP. Really tasty. It was gluten free pasta and I was afraid it mat make the pasta mushy but all worked well.
Thank you
Vegan Richa Support
Instant Pot – Instant Hit!! excellent!
Harry
Always works great for us. If you’re afraid of the possibility of a burning or sticking problem (I used to avoid such recipes), just add a bit more water and then use saute mode for a minute after to get your desired consistency.
We’ve added veg meatballs too, both homemade and store bought. Good with lentil pastas like Banza.
I like to share this with new IP owners regardless of diet. Really illustrates the power of the IP for everyday staples. Thanks much!
Vegan Richa Support
wow – thanks for the info – awesome! Instant Pot Success
Mandy
Made tonight was so easy and delicious
I hope you are coming out with your IP book soon !
Love all your recipes
Kristen Jackson
Thanks for this super easy recipe! We are in a disgusting high humidity heat wave right now, so instant pot recipes have been my saving grace. This one is a keeper!
Also, I 2nd the suggestion for you to put out an IP recipe book. I love everything I’ve made from your collection so far, I think it’d be a huge hit!
Vegan Richa Support
IP definitely keeps the kitchen cooler (a little at least!! good idea
Laura
I would buy an IP cookbook from her in a NY minute!
Linda
Richa, your next cookbook really needs to be an Instant Pot cookbook! Your IP recipes always turn out so well. 👍
Richa
awesome! yes writing one!
Linda
Yay! <3
Kristin Cheney
Love how quickly and simply this meal came together, added some onion and rosemary and marjoram to the herb mix. I’ll definitely have to try doubling the recipe to guarantee more leftovers.
Richa
great additions!
sunny
i love this recipe and your blog are fantastic,i will trying to be make this recipe
Gladys
Thank you for this recipe and all others. You never disappoint. 🙂
Richa
Thank you Gladys!
Lee
I would love to send a friend the video of this recipe but as far as I can tell it’s only on Facebook. Could it be added here or on YouTube? Thank you, love your cookbooks!
Richa
Yes i will put itupon youtube in a few days. Heres the fb url. You dont need an account to watch it as its a public page. https://www.facebook.com/VeganRicha/videos/348681882396430/
Estee
This is super fast and very tasty. I used Banza chickpea pasta and turned out well. Hubby loved the flavor. This is great for fast weekday dinner. Go try it.
Richa
awesome!! Thank you Estee!!
Allison
I was hoping to use Banza too! Should I still do 6 minutes? Not sure if it cooks the for same amount of time as regular pasta.
Richa
try it for half the time listed on the banza box and quick release
Emily
Made this for dinner. Added more water as suggested and it worked out wonderfully! I had some baked bean balls that i mixed before serving. Perfect! I love cooking in one pot
Richa
awesome!