Name: Instant Pot Caprese Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces of halved cherry tomatoes; 6 tbs olive oil (divided); 6 cloves of garlic (pressed); salt and pepper; 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes; 4 cups water or vegetable broth; 16 ounces of rotini or penne pasta; 6 tbs balsamic vinegar; 8 ounces of mozzarella pearls; fresh basil; 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

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Instant Pot Caprese Pasta takes the classic tomato, mozzarella and basil flavors and adds them to a light vegetarian pasta recipe that you can serve hot or cold. Perfect for a light dinner or served cold as Caprese pasta salad at a picnic.

Instant Pot Caprese Pasta makes a delicious warm pasta or a fab Caprese pasta salad — Instant Pot Caprese Pasta

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It’s no secret that I have an obsession with all things Caprese. It’s so simple, but so perfect.

I wish all simple things in life were as perfect as Caprese. But I digress.

This Caprese pasta recipe is truly simple pasta perfection. It’s quick, easy and totally delicious- a warm weather pasta that’s as good as my classic bruschetta pasta or this tomato pasta with burrata. Unlike those two recipes, this recipe isn’t necessarily best hot. You could serve it warm and let the mozzarella melt into gooey balls of deliciousness or you could serve it cool like a pasta salad.

Plus making it in the Instant Pot means you are only using one pot and you’re not heating up your house boiling water on the stove, which is absolutely key in the summer time. At least for me in my un-airconditioned house that gets so muggy.

Ingredients for Caprese Pasta

Ingredients for Instant Pot Caprese Pasta: rotini, cherry tomatoes, garlic, basil, mozzarella, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and water — Ingredients for Instant Pot Caprese Pasta: rotini, cherry tomatoes, garlic, basil, mozzarella, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, spices and water

This Caprese pasta is simple!

To make it you need:

Pasta– Use a medium pasta like rotini or penne for this dish.
Tomatoes– 8 ounces of halved cherry tomatoes work the best. You could substitute roma tomatoes or any other tomatoes you have, but cherry tomatoes burst and get extra sweet. If you use a larger tomato, make sure to coarsely chop them.
Mozzarella– Use the good stuff here, not the shredded packaged stuff (which honestly, still good. Never met a cheese I didn’t like). The fresh mozzarella pearls work the best.
Basil– As much fresh basil as you like. Cut it into ribbons.
Olive Oil– You’ll need 6 tbs of olive oil, divided. You’ll use some to saute the tomatoes in and the remainder to coat the cooked pasta.
Garlic– Fresh garlic. I used 6 large cloves, but if you don’t love garlic, use less. I like to press my garlic so it kind of melts into the pasta. It’s not overpowering in this as written.
Balsamic vinegar– Adds sweetness to the tomatoes and flavors the pasta. Don’t substitute another kind of vinegar.
Parmesan Cheese– It’s optional but I like the extra little salty sharpness it adds.
Spices– Sea salt, pepper and red pepper flakes are the only spices you need. The red pepper doesn’t add heat in this, just a little background flavor to balance all the sweet from the tomatoes and balsamic.

How to Make Instant Pot Caprese Pasta

Add the inner liner to the Instant Pot. Turn the Instant Pot onto saute mode. Add 3 tbs olive oil. Let the oil get hot. Once the oil is hot hot, add the halved cherry tomatoes, pressed garlic, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Saute for 1 minute. Add the balsamic vinegar.

Add the tomatoes, garlic, seasoning and balsamic to olive oil

Bring to a simmer, about another minute. Stir regularly. Add the pasta and the water. Stir.

Add the pasta and the water to the Instant Pot — What it will look like when you add the pasta and the water to the Instant Pot

Hit cancel to turn off saute mode. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot. Make sure the valve is set to sealing. Pressure cook on high for 4 minutes for al dente pasta or 5 minutes for slightly softer pasta. When the pot beeps, turn the valve to venting to quick release. Drain any excess water if needed. Turn pot off.

Instant Pot Caprese Pasta after pressure cooking — What it will look like after pressure cooking

Drizzle in the remaining olive oil. Toss with fresh mozzarella pearls and basil. Serve hot or cold as caprese pasta salad.

Enjoy.

Don’t have an Instant Pot? Stove Top Caprese Pasta

Instant Pot Caprese Pasta is delicious hot or cold served as Caprese pasta salad — Instant Pot Caprese Pasta

No Instant Pot? No problem. You can make this Caprese pasta recipe on the stove top. To make it on the stove top, cook the pasta according to the directions on the pasta. When it’s done, drain the pasta. While the pasta cooks, heat all the olive oil over medium heat in a large saute pan. When the oil is hot, add the tomatoes, garlic, balsamic, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Let the tomatoes cook until they burst, stirring regularly. This will take about 5 minutes. Once the tomatoes have burst, remove from heat. Add the pasta. Toss with the tomatoes and Parmesan cheese. Let cool. Add the mozzarella and basil. Enjoy.

Want Caprese Pasta Salad? Serve this cold!

If you want a pasta salad side dish, this recipe works perfectly. It makes a lovely Caprese pasta salad. Just serve it cool and you’re good to go.

Other Caprese Recipes

Like I mentioned earlier, I am absolutely obsessed with Caprese salad. Here are a few of my favorites:

Shrimp caprese with a honey balsamic reduction– this shrimp caprese salad feels so fancy but it is honestly the most ridiculously easy Caprese recipe ever. It comes together in under 5 minutes and makes a perfect summer dinner or a lovely appetizer.
Fried mozzarella caprese– the only thing better than a traditional Caprese salad? A Caprese salad with ooey gooey fried cheese, obv.
Panzanella Caprese– Oh hello, Caprese with hunks of crusty bread. Aren’t you a perfect summer dinner?
Puff Pastry Caprese Cups– these cute little Caprese cups are the perfect appetizer for a summer cocktail party or a holiday gathering
Caprese skewers– Caprese salad made portable for an easy appetizer, also affectionately called Caprese lollipops by my 5 year old
The Best Shrimp Caprese Pasta
The Best Burrata Caprese Salad
Elegant and Easy Prosciutto Caprese Skewers
Air Fryer Gnocchi Capresef
Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad
Easy Pesto Caprese Salad (Italian Mozzarella, Tomato, Basil Salad)
Easy Tortellini Caprese Skewers
Easy Baguette Caprese Sandwich with Pesto
5 Minute Easy Caprese Panini Sandwich with Pesto
Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad with Pesto – a fresh, delicious take on cold pesto pasta salad!

Did you make this Instant Pot Caprese pasta? Leave me a comment below or find me on Facebook or Instagram @Seasonedsprinkles or #seasonedsprinkles and let me know how you liked it.