Aperol-Citrus Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A vibrant pasta dish infused with Aperol's bittersweet essence, brightened by fresh cherry tomatoes and zesty lemon. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs Aperol, Extra virgin olive oil, Garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant — do not let it brown.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 3 oz Aperol, stir to combine, and let simmer for 2 minutes until slightly reduced. Add 12 oz halved cherry tomatoes and 1 tbsp lemon zest. Cook for 5 minutes until tomatoes soften and the sauce thickens.
  4. Step 4: Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet, adding 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Stir to coat the pasta evenly.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and serve immediately.

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