Garlic Butter Angel Hair Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Delicate angel hair pasta tossed in a fragrant garlic butter sauce with sweet cherry tomatoes, perfect for a light Italian meal. This italian-inspired noodles (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs angel hair pasta, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 calories and feeds 3, 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.

★ 4.5 (8 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Italian cuisine 360 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz angel hair pasta and cook for 3-4 minutes until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/4 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: In a large skillet, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter with 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes until they soften and begin to release their juices.
  4. Step 4: Toss in the drained pasta, 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir gently to combine and coat the pasta in the garlic butter sauce.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Garlic Butter Angel Hair Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Garlic Butter Angel Hair Pasta with 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 angel hair pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Garlic Butter Angel Hair Pasta with 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 Garlic Butter Angel Hair Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Garlic Butter Angel Hair Pasta with 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.

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