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Home » Italian » Instant Pot Pasta Caprese

Instant Pot Pasta Caprese

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

pasta caprese served in 2 white bowls

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.

pasta caprese in white bowl with basil on top

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
Wooden cutting board with sliced onions, halved grape tomatoes, basil leaves, parmesan cheese and ga rater.

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
ingredients - olive oil, sliced onions, minced garlic, tomato sauce, sliced grape tomatoes, red chili flakes, dry pasta in a bowl and balsamic vinegar in a measuring cup.

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).

steps one through two cooking onions in Instant Pot

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).

steps three through six showing adding ingredients to Instant Pot

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).

steps seven through ten showing cooked pasta in the Instant Pot and adding mozzarella, basil and balsamic

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

pasta caprese in a white bowl

Love Instant Pot Pasta recipes? Check out our favorites:

Tried this recipe? We love your feedback.Please click on the stars in the recipe card below
pasta caprese in a white bowl
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4.46 from 33 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 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Total Time15 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, or to taste
  • 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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Author: Archana

Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Antonia says

    There's nothing better than a quick pasta meal. This looks so comforting and delicious!

    • Archana says

      Thank you Antonia! I love fresh basil and fresh mozzarella in this dish and the drizzle of balsamic vinegar .. just finishes up this dish so beautifully!

  2. Em says

    This looks great! I'm trying to figure out the ratio of pasta to liquid since I'm using a different shaped pasta and am looking to go by weight rather than volume. Do you happen to know how much pasta, by weight, you used?

    • Archana says

      About 1/2 box or 8 oz. You want just enough water so that all the pasta in barely submerged under water/liquid.

  3. Linda Smith says

    This looks really good! If I make a double recipe, would you increase the time?

    • Archana says

      Linda, you do not need to double the time. It will work with same time. Would love to know how you like it! Thank you.

  4. Linda Smith says

    It was very good! My husband said it had a restaurant quality taste. Thanks!

    • Archana says

      Thank you Linda! You made my day. So glad you guys enjoyed it! ❤?

  5. Kalbap says

    Great recipe for a quick lunch dish. I tweaked the ingredients a bit by using shallots in addition to the onions and garlic. Also used whole grain pasta. Reduced the balsamic vinegar quantity- 1/4 cup is a bit much. A drizzle (few teaspoons) is perfectly fine. And pecorino Romano grated also goes well. A hearty flavorful dish all in all.

    • Archana says

      Yum! Your version sounds delish. I agree, balsamic vinegar can be drizzled to taste.

  6. Pam says

    Thanks for the fantastic recipe! The mozzarella balls are pretty but hard to eat, so I think next time I'll try adding shredded fresh mozzarella instead.

    • Archana says

      Hi Pam, So glad you enjoyed this pasta recipe! You can also chop up mozzarella balls into small pieces or shred it!

  7. Roshni patel says

    How do you film your videos? do you have your camera hooked on something? I need to figure out how to make some videos to share with my sisters on things I am making. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    • Archana says

      Hi Roshni, I have the camera on tripod or sometimes my boys will help me with the video as I cook.

      • Roshni says

        Thanks!! Also have a question for the amount of water for pasta. How do you determine how much water to add to pasta as it doesn't look like a lot? I figured out your equation for cooking times but need help with water for pasta!!!

        • Archana says

          Hi Roshni! It is tricky with the water. As different pasta recipes have different liquids from the sauce, tomatoes, etc. After adding all the sauces, tomatoes, I add enough water so that most of the pasta(90%) is under water. I use a spatula to push the pasta under the liquids. Hope this helps.

  8. Radha says

    Hi archana
    How about using tomato pasta sauce instead of tomato sauce
    Will that make a difference

    • Archana says

      Hi Radha, you can totally use a tomato pasta sauce. It will still be yummy

  9. Jo says

    This may be not only the best instant pot meal I ever made, but maybe the best meal ever.,.amazing and super quick and easy!

    • Archana says

      Hi Jo! Thank you so much! Your lovely comment made my day! I love the way pasta cooks in the Instant Pot. So flavorful and a truly one pot dish. We have this pasta on repeat in the summers.

  10. Arpan says

    Hi,

    The recipe came out awesome but I had to do 8 mins instead of 4 and put more water. Pasta was kind of stuck and little burnt at the bottom. Can you tell me what could be wrong.

    Thanks.

    • Archana says

      Hi! Need to know exactly which pasta you used and what was the cook time on the box. If the pasta is bigger than the cook time usually is also longer. You want to look at the cook time on the pasta and use half of that as the pressure cooking time. Also make sure all the pasta is under liquids so it will cook properly in the set time. Hope you will try it again!

  11. Smitha Sunil says

    Hi Archana,

    I tried to re-calculate serving for 9 people. It shows 6-1.5 cups penne pasta. Does that mean six and a half cups or 6 X 1.5 cups? This is my all time favorite recipe by the way. Thanks a ton.

    Smitha5 stars

    • Archana says

      Hi Smitha, It means 7 and half cups. Weird that it displays 6 - 1.5 instead of 7.5, will see how to fix it. But for now go with 7.5 cups of pasta. And don't forget to rate the recipe 🙂

  12. Roma says

    Is there a version with chicken for this ?

    • Archana says

      Hi Roma, I have not tried capers with chicken. But you can add sauté either ground chicken or boneless chicken cut into bite sized pieces for 2 to 3 minutes along with the onions. Then follow the remaining recipe.

  13. Divya says

    I tried this today and it was so delicious The kids loved it!5 stars

    • Archana says

      Thank you for the feedback.

  14. Julie says

    This was amazing! Such a basic dish but the flavors really came through. I used Rao's pasta sauce instead of plain tomato. Will definitely be making it again!5 stars

    • Archana says

      Thank you for the feedback! So glad to hear that you enjoyed the flavors

  15. Andrew Hoffmann says

    1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette was a little acidic for my taste, but easily remedied with some sugar.4 stars

    • Archana says

      Thank you! I am going to go ahead and mention to add to taste and some brands may make it it too acidic

  16. Shonna Carlson says

    SO GOOD!! Just started using my instant pot and so I was very nervous! The tip about adding just enough water to cover the pasta is so true! I love all the flavors! Thank you so much!!5 stars

  17. Leika says

    Hi! I have made this a few times and it always comes out great. Would it work with gluten free brown rice pasta? If so, would you adjust the time?5 stars

    • Archana says

      Yes for gluten free pasta. Half the package cooktime and then minus one minute for perfectly cooked pasta

  18. Elsa Hale says

    I just made this and it was outstanding! I used dried basil and baby spinach because in this day of "quarantine in place," it's what I had on hand but the flavor was amazing. Will definitely make many more times in the future.5 stars

    • Archana says

      Thank you! Last week I ended up using dried basil and spinach also. I am so glad you enjoyed it

  19. Amanda says

    Since I don’t have fresh tomatoes on hand, was thinking of using a 14oz can of diced tomatoes. Recommendations on changing the liquid ratio if I did this instead of the fresh tomato? Just make sure there is enough liquid covering the pasta, so maybe less water? Can’t wait to try!

    • Archana says

      Hi Amanda, yes canned tomatoes will work. Just add enough liquids to cover the pasta. You probably won't have to add any extra