Lemon and Herb Tagliatelle with Fresh Tomatoes

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

Tender tagliatelle tossed with a bright lemon-herb sauce and ripe tomatoes, finished with a sprinkle of fresh basil for a light and refreshing meal. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs tagliatelle pasta, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 12 oz tagliatelle and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add 12 oz cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften. Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon over the tomatoes and stir in 1/4 cup fresh basil and 2 tbsp fresh parsley.
  4. Step 4: Return drained tagliatelle to the skillet and toss with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until the sauce coats the pasta evenly and thickens slightly.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Lemon and Herb Tagliatelle with Fresh Tomatoes 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 Lemon and Herb Tagliatelle with Fresh 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 tagliatelle pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon and Herb Tagliatelle with Fresh 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 Lemon and Herb Tagliatelle with Fresh Tomatoes 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 Lemon and Herb Tagliatelle with Fresh Tomatoes?

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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