Easy Instant Pot pasta salad recipe! This simple Instant Pot caprese pasta salad is made with just 7 ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes to make.
The Instant Pot is a great way to make pasta! This easy Instant Pot caprese pasta salad recipe is made with just 7 ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes to make.
This recipe makes a great side for barbecues and potlucks. It also makes an easy lunch or dinner.
Ingredient notes
- Rotini: You can use a similar noodle instead of rotini.
- Balsamic vinaigrette: Be sure to use balsamic dressing, not balsamic vinegar.
- Chicken broth: I like to use reduced-sodium chicken broth.
- Cherry tomatoes: Grape tomatoes will also work.
How to make Instant Pot caprese pasta salad
Step 1: Add the uncooked noodles, balsamic vinaigrette, and chicken broth to the Instant Pot inner pot.
Step 2: Close and lock the lid. Close the pressure release valve. Press manual high and adjust the time to 4 minutes. Once the cooking time has finished, do a controlled pressure release.
Step 3: Pour the noodles and the liquid into a bowl and put the bowl in the fridge for about 30-60 minutes. The noodles will get cool and will absorb the extra liquid in the bowl.
Step 4: Remove the bowl from the fridge and add the mozzarella pearls, basil leaves, and cherry tomatoes. Toss to combine.
Step 5: Drizzle with balsamic glaze. Enjoy!
Variations
- Vegetarian: To make this pasta salad vegetarian, substitute veggie broth for the chicken broth.
- Main dish: The pasta salad makes a light main dish. To make it more substantial, stir in cooked cubed or shredded chicken.
- Vinaigrette: Feel free to try out different flavors of dressing to change up the taste of the pasta salad.
Serving suggestions
This pasta salad makes a light lunch or dinner. You can add a green salad and a loaf of crusty bread to help sop up any of the juice.
It also makes a great side dish for fish, chicken, or pork.
Storage
Any leftover pasta salad should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The pasta salad will keep for 2-3 days when properly stored.
More Instant Pot pasta recipes!
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Instant Pot Caprese Pasta Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces dry rotini noodles
- 1 cup balsamic vinaigrette
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 ¼ cup mozzarella pearls
- 7 large fresh basil leaves about ¼ cup, sliced into thin ribbons
- 10 ounces small cherry tomatoes halved
- 1-2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Add the uncooked noodles, balsamic vinaigrette, and chicken broth to the Instant Pot inner pot.
- Close and lock the lid.
- Close the pressure release valve.
- Press manual high and adjust the time to 4 minutes.
- Once the cooking time has finished, do a controlled pressure release.
- Pour the noodles and the liquid into a bowl and put the bowl in the fridge for about 30-60 minutes. The noodles will get colder and absorb the extra liquid in the bowl.
- Remove the bowl from the fridge and add the mozzarella pearls, basil leaves, and cherry tomatoes.
- Toss to combine.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze. Enjoy!
Notes
- Rotini: You can use a similar noodle instead of rotini.
- Balsamic vinaigrette: Be sure to use balsamic dressing, not balsamic vinegar.
- Chicken broth: I like to use reduced-sodium chicken broth.
- Cherry tomatoes: Grape tomatoes will also work.
- Nutrition values are estimates.
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