No-Bake Pasta Cups with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Mini pasta cups filled with fresh tomatoes and basil, ready in 10 minutes for picky eaters. This italian-inspired kid friendly (vegetarian) ready in about 10 minutes pairs pasta shells, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 240 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 oz pasta shells
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 4 oz pasta shells according to package directions until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Step 2: Dice 1 cup cherry tomatoes and finely chop 1/4 cup fresh basil. Crumble 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese into small pieces.
- Step 3: Toss cooked pasta shells with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar, diced tomatoes, and chopped basil. Fill each pasta shell with a spoonful of the mixture and top with a mozzarella crumb.
Frequently asked questions
How long does No-Bake Pasta Cups with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (10 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover No-Bake Pasta Cups with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pasta shells from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in No-Bake Pasta Cups with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale No-Bake Pasta Cups with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is No-Bake Pasta Cups with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
No oven needed on busy weeknights? Yes please! The basil really brightened up the pasta cups.
- ★★★★★
My kids ate these up in minutes! The cherry tomatoes and basil made it feel fancy but so easy to assemble.
- ★★★★☆
Perfect for picky eaters but the pasta was slightly bland without extra salt. Took 15 minutes to prep instead of 10.
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