Cherry Tomato and Sausage Pasta

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant pasta dish featuring sweet cherry tomatoes, spicy Italian sausage, and fresh basil in a light tomato sauce, ready in under 30 minutes. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, casings removed Italian sausage for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 480 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: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 lb Italian sausage and cook, breaking it into small pieces, until browned and cooked through (5-7 minutes).
  3. Step 3: Add 1 small onion (finely diced) and 3 garlic cloves (minced) to the skillet, cooking for 3-4 minutes until onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved) and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, cooking for 3-4 minutes until tomatoes soften slightly.
  5. Step 5: Add drained spaghetti to skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and 1/4 cup fresh basil (torn), tossing to coat. Cook for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Step 6: Season with salt and black pepper to taste, then stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cherry Tomato and Sausage Pasta 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 Cherry Tomato and Sausage Pasta?

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 Cherry Tomato and Sausage Pasta?

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 Cherry Tomato and Sausage Pasta 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.

What goes well with Cherry Tomato and Sausage Pasta?

Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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