Garlic Tomato & Mozzarella Pasta
A vibrant Italian-inspired dish with ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant garlic, tossed with al dente pasta for a simple yet satisfying meal. This italian-inspired quick meals (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs spaghetti, pint, halved cherry tomatoes, cubed mozzarella balls for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 1 pint, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup, cubed mozzarella balls
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- 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.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant — do not let it brown.
- Step 3: Add 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Toss in 1 cup cubed mozzarella balls and cook for 1-2 minutes until melted and evenly distributed.
- Step 5: Add 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 1/2 cup pasta water. Stir until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 6: Fold in the cooked spaghetti, ensuring each strand is coated in the tomato-mozzarella sauce. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Garlic Tomato & Mozzarella Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Tomato & Mozzarella 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 Garlic Tomato & Mozzarella 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 Garlic Tomato & Mozzarella 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.
Is Garlic Tomato & Mozzarella Pasta 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
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
