Lemon-Garlic Creamy Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
A vibrant, restaurant-quality pasta dish with a zesty lemon-garlic cream sauce and sweet cherry tomatoes, ready in 20 minutes. This italian-inspired quick meals ready in about 25 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tbsp salt and 12 oz spaghetti, then cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water.
- Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant (do not brown the garlic).
- Step 3: Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes until they begin to soften and release juice.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, then add 2 tbsp reserved pasta water. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet and toss to coat, adding more reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a creamy consistency. Season with 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 6: Divide among plates and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Garlic Creamy Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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-Garlic Creamy 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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Garlic Creamy 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 Lemon-Garlic Creamy Pasta with Cherry 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-Garlic Creamy Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes?
Italian quick meals 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
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.
- ★☆☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
