Herbed Italian Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Garlic
Al dente pasta tossed with roasted cherry tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil for a simple yet flavorful Mediterranean-inspired dish. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced garlic cloves 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 4 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup, roughly chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 2 cups cherry tomatoes and 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves with 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes until tomatoes blister and garlic softens.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, 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 and drain the rest.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the roasted tomatoes and garlic along with 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using, cooking for 2 minutes to infuse the oil.
- Step 4: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with reserved 1/2 cup pasta water and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until cheese melts and coats the pasta.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh basil leaves. Adjust seasoning with remaining salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herbed Italian Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Garlic 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 Herbed Italian Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Garlic?
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 Herbed Italian Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Garlic?
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 Herbed Italian Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Garlic 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 Herbed Italian Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Garlic 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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