Herb-Roasted Cherry Tomato and Spinach Pasta
A vibrant pasta dish featuring roasted cherry tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a zesty lemon-garlic sauce, finished with toasted pine nuts and Parmesan. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian, gluten-free) ready in about 55 minutes pairs cherry tomatoes, spinach, olive oil 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz spinach
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves (minced) garlic
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup (grated) Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 1/4 cup (chopped) fresh basil
- 12 oz spaghetti
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss cherry tomatoes with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 25 minutes until blistered and caramelized.
- Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Step 3: In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Stir in roasted tomatoes, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Simmer for 2 minutes to blend flavors.
- Step 4: Toss the pasta into the skillet, adding more pasta water if needed. Stir in Parmesan and pine nuts. Finish with basil and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Roasted Cherry Tomato and Spinach Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 Herb-Roasted Cherry Tomato and Spinach 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 cherry tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Roasted Cherry Tomato and Spinach 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 Herb-Roasted Cherry Tomato and Spinach 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 Herb-Roasted Cherry Tomato and Spinach Pasta vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian, gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.