Brand New Day Lemon Basil Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Bright and fresh lemon basil pasta tossed with oven-roasted cherry tomatoes and a hint of garlic for a refreshing, easy dinner. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 2 cups, halved cherry tomatoes
- 4 tbsp, divided extra virgin olive oil
- 3, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup, roughly chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup, freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp (optional) toasted pine nuts
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes with 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 15-18 minutes until tomatoes are soft and blistered.
- Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain pasta.
- Step 3: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and garlic is golden but not burnt.
- Step 4: Add roasted cherry tomatoes, 1 tbsp lemon zest, and 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice to the skillet. Stir to combine and warm through.
- Step 5: Add drained pasta to the skillet along with reserved 1/2 cup pasta water, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss vigorously to coat pasta, then stir in 1 cup roughly chopped fresh basil and 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese until the sauce lightly coats the noodles.
- Step 6: Serve sprinkled with 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts if using, and extra parmesan if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Brand New Day Lemon Basil Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Brand New Day Lemon Basil Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes?
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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Brand New Day Lemon Basil Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes?
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 Brand New Day Lemon Basil Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes 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 Brand New Day Lemon Basil Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes 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.
