QUICK RELEASE / CAN BE GLUTEN-FREE

Mediterranean Ground Beef and Pasta Casserole

4 servings

Lemon, cinnamon, and dill—if you haven’t tried this Greek mélange, you don’t know how delicious it is: aromatic and sweet, almost irresistible. This sort of pasta casserole is traditionally made with orzo, the little rice-shaped pasta. Unfortunately, orzo is so small that the “grains” fall to the pot’s bottom and burn. But this tasty one-pot meal comes out just as well with sturdier ziti. Opa!

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 small yellow onion, chopped (½ cup)

2 jarred anchovy fillets, minced (optional)

2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

2 medium garlic cloves, peeled and minced (2 teaspoons)

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

1 pound lean ground beef

1 cup dry white wine, such as Chardonnay

2 medium plum or Roma tomatoes, chopped (⅔ cup)

¼ cup fresh dill fronds, chopped

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

8 ounces dried ziti

1½ cups beef or chicken broth

1.

Press the button for: SAUTÉ

Set it for: MEDIUM, NORMAL, or CUSTOM 300°F

Set the time for: 10 minutes

If necessary, press: START

2. Warm the oil in a 6- or 8-quart cooker for a minute or two. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until it softens, about 2 minutes. If using, add the anchovies and stir for 1 minute until the bits begin to melt. Stir in the lemon zest, garlic, and pepper until fragrant, a few seconds.

3. Crumble in the ground beef and cook, stirring often to break up any clumps, until the meat loses its raw, pink color, about 3 minutes. Stir in the wine, tomatoes, dill, and cinnamon. Scrape up every speck of browned stuff on the pot’s bottom. Turn off the SAUTÉ function. Stir in the pasta and broth until uniform. Lock the lid onto the pot.

4.

Set the machine for: PRESSURE COOK

Set the level for: MAX

The valve must be:

Set the time for: 5 minutes with the KEEP WARM setting off

If necessary, press: START

Set the machine for: PRESSURE COOK or MANUAL

Set the level for: HIGH

The valve must be: Closed

Set the time for: 7 minutes with the KEEP WARM setting off

If necessary, press: START

5. Use the quick-release method to bring the pot’s pressure back to normal. Unlatch the lid and open the pot. Stir well before serving.

Beyond

• You must halve the recipe for a 3-quart cooker.

• If you omit the anchovy fillets, you should also add 1 teaspoon table salt with the ground black pepper.

• For a more herbaceous dish, add up to 1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano leaves with the dill.

• For a little heat, add up to ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes with the cinnamon.

• Feel free to substitute ground lamb for the ground beef.

• And be sure to crumble feta over the servings.