About the Recipe
Ingredients
1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
1 large Spanish onion, diced
1 large carrot, peeled and diced
2 stalks of celery, diced (reserve the leaves/leafy tops from the stalk if possible)
1.5 lbs of a ground meat of your choice (I used a veal, pork and beef mix)
1 tbsp of crushed or minced garlic
3/4 cup of dry red wine
1/4 cup of dry white wine
28 oz can of crushed tomatoes (use San Marzano if you can swing it – worth the difference)
2 cups of beef broth (I used 2 tsp of Beef Better Than Bouillon + 2 cups of water)
1 tsp of kosher salt
1 tsp of seasoned salt
1 tsp of Italian seasoning
1 tsp of oregano
1/4 tsp of nutmeg (optional)
1 lb (1 box) of Ziti Rigati (like a Ziti with ridges)
1/2 cup of heavy cream or half & half (optional)
5.2 oz of Boursin or 5 oz of a brick of cream cheese (optional, for an even richer experience)
Parmesan cheese, for topping
Preparation
Add the olive oil to the Instant Pot and then hit “Sauté” and adjust so it’s on the “More” or “High” setting. Allow it to heat up for three minutes and then add in the onion, carrot and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes and then add in the garlic and sauté for 1 minute longer.
Next, add in the ground meat, stir and allow it to sauté for 5 minutes with the vegetables until it crumbles and releases its juices (which we will keep in the as it adds a ton of delicious flavor)
Pour in the red and white wine, stir it in with the meat and vegetables and allow the meat and veggies to simmer in it for 10 solid minutes (do not go less than 10 minutes as this is where the rich flavor is born into the meat as well as the alcohol burning off)
Next, add in the crushed tomatoes, broth, seasoned salt, kosher salt, nutmeg, oregano and Italian seasoning. Stir everything together very well
Lastly, add in the pasta BUT DO NOT STIR (or you may have issues coming to pressure). Simply press and smooth the pasta down with a spoon so it’s submerged in the broth (it’s okay if it peaks above a little)
Secure the lid and hit “Keep Warm/Cancel” and then hit “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” for 6 minutes at High Pressure (this cook time is for Ziti Rigati. If using Rigatoni, go for 8 minutes). Quick release when done and give everything a good stir
Finish it off by adding in the cream and the Boursin (or creme cheese) and stirring for another minute or two until totally melded into the sauce -OR- if you prefer it without the dairy and like it with just a meat-and-tomato base, simply leave out the cream and Boursin and serve as is!
Serve in bowls and top with some Parmesan cheese, if desired
Mangia!