Instant Pot Pasta Caprese

Easy one-pot pasta Caprese with tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar cooked in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.

Do you love pasta? Here is a classic and flavorful Pasta Caprese recipe not to miss. It is our favorite pasta with few wholesome ingredients.

Instant Pot

Here is why I love to cook pasta in the Instant Pot: Cooking the pasta in the Instant Pot does not require draining the excess water after pressure cooking the pasta. This water adds a nice creamy texture and flavors are sealed in nicely. You can cook the pasta al dente or well done, regular flour pasta or gluten-free variety, I can show you the tips and tricks for perfectly cooked pasta every time. With just one pot to clean, we love the new quick and easy method for cooking pasta.

Tips

Here are my tips for perfect Instant Pot Pasta:

• Add enough liquids (water, broth, tomato sauce, etc) so that most of the pasta is submerged under
• Layer thick tomato pasta sauce on top and do not mix it in to prevent BURN error
• For well-cooked pasta, pressure cook pasta for half the time on the pasta box
• For Al dente pasta or gluten-free pasta, pressure cook for half the time on the pasta box minus 1 minute
• Always add cheeses, heavy cream, balsamic vinegar, etc after the pasta is done pressure cooking
• Quick releasing after pressure cooking will avoid overcooking the pasta

And here are my general cooking tips with Instant Pot:

• Always mise en place
• Make sure the bottom of the pot is not browned from sautéing the onions
• If the bottom of the pot does get browned, simply add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water, press cancel, and deglaze the pot well before adding the remaining ingredients to prevent the "BURN" error

Steps

Here is the step by step Instant Pot Pasta Caprese Recipe:

Step 1: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode and heat oil. Add onion, garlic, crushed red pepper, and sauté for a minute (photos 1 - 2).

Add tomatoes, pasta, pasta sauce, half of the basil leaves, and salt. Add 1 cup of water and Gently push all the pasta under liquids (photos 3 - 4).

Step 2: Close the Instant Pot and turn the steam release handle to sealing. Pressure Cook/Manual(High) for 4 minutes. Quick Release and open the Instant Pot. Add fresh mozzarella cheese and balsamic vinegar. Garnish with remaining basil and shredded parmesan (photos 7 - 10).

Enjoy hot! If making ahead, add the mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, and basil leaves just before serving.

Love Instant Pot Pasta recipes? Check out our favorites:

• Penne Alla Vodka
• Spicy Taco Pasta 
• Spinach Artichoke Mac and Cheese
• Spinach Mushroom Lasagna
• Masala Mac n Cheese
• Creamy Tomato Pasta

Recipe

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4.50 from 38 votes

Instant Pot Pasta Caprese

Easy one-pot pasta Caprese with tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar prepared in Instant Pot.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Course: Entree

Cuisine: Italian

Servings: 3

Calories: 381kcal

Author: Archana Mundhe

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• ▢ 1 medium yellow onion thinly sliced
• ▢ 6 garlic cloves minced
• ▢ 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper optional
• ▢ 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
• ▢ 2½ cups mezze penne
• ▢ 4 handful basil leaves
• ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ 1 cup water
• ▢ 15 oz can tomato sauce
• ▢ ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• ▢ 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls if the balls are too big, cut into half or quarters
• ▢ grated parmesan cheese optional

Instructions

• Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode and heat oil. Add onion, garlic, and crushed red pepper. Sauté for a minute.  
• Add tomatoes, pasta, half of the basil leaves, salt, and water. Gently push all the pasta under liquids. Layer tomato sauce on top. Do not mix.
• Close the Instant Pot and turn the steam release handle to sealing. Pressure Cook for 4 minutes. 
• Quick Release. Add fresh mozzarella cheese and balsamic vinegar. Give a quick stir.
• Serve hot garnished with remaining chopped basil and shredded parmesan.

Video

Notes

• Add enough water so that most of the pasta is submerged
• Layer tomato sauce on top and do not mix it in to prevent BURN error
• For well-cooked pasta, pressure cook pasta for half the time on the pasta box
• For Al dente pasta or gluten-free pasta, pressure cook for half the time on the pasta box minus 1 minute
• Always add cheese and balsamic vinegar after the pasta is done pressure cooking

Nutrition

Calories: 381kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 1828mg | Potassium: 844mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 1545IU | Vitamin C: 21.9mg | Calcium: 246mg | Iron: 2.8mg

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