Easy one pot pasta caprese with tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar cooked in the Instant Pot.
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.
Why Cook Pasta in the Instant Pot:
- Cooking the pasta in the Instant Pot gives it a naturally creamy texture as the recipes do not require draining the excess water after pressure cooking the pasta. This water adds a great testure and flavor to the dish.
Pro tips for perfect Instant Pot Pasta Caprese.
- Add enough water/broth/tomato sauce so that most of the pasta is under the liquids
- Layer the pasta sauce on top of the water or broth and do not mix it in
- For a well cooked pasta, pressure cook pasta for half the time on the pasta box
- For Al dente 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
- Quick releasing after pressure cooking will avoid overcooking the pasta
Instant Pot cooking tips:
- Start with mise en place.
- Make sure there bottom of the pot is not browned from sauteeing 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 remaining ingredients.
Step by step Instant Pot Pasta Caprese Recipe:
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).
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).
Here is a quick video on how to make Instant Pot Pasta Caprese:
Love Instant Pot Pasta recipes? Check out our favorites:
Instant Pot Pasta Caprese
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon EVOO
- 1 medium onion thinly sliced
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper optional
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
- 2-1/2 cups mezze penne
- 1 15 oz can of tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 handful basil leaves
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar, or to taste
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls
- Grated parmesan cheese optional
- 1 cup water
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, pasta sauce, half of the basil leaves, salt and 1 cup of water. Gently push all the pasta under liquids.
- Close the Instant Pot and turn the steam release handle to sealing. Adjust the cook time to Pressure Cook/Manual(High) for 4 minutes.
- Quick Release. Stir genlty. Add fresh mozzarella cheese and balsamic vinegar.
- Serve hot garnished with more chopped basil and shredded parmesan.
Video
Nutrition
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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!
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.
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.
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! ❤?
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
Smitha
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 🙂
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.
Divya says
I tried this today and it was so delicious The kids loved it!
Archana says
Thank you for the feedback.
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!
Archana says
Thank you for the feedback! So glad to hear that you enjoyed the flavors
Andrew Hoffmann says
1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette was a little acidic for my taste, but easily remedied with some sugar.
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
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!!
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?
Archana says
Yes for gluten free pasta. Half the package cooktime and then minus one minute for perfectly cooked pasta
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.
Archana says
Thank you! Last week I ended up using dried basil and spinach also. I am so glad you enjoyed it