Lemon-Herb Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
A bright, vibrant pasta dish featuring al dente spaghetti coated in a fragrant lemon-herb sauce, finished with sun-ripened cherry tomatoes. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs spaghetti, 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 12 oz cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss 12 oz cherry tomatoes with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp pepper on a baking sheet; roast for 15 minutes until blistered and juicy.
- Step 2: Cook 12 oz spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 3: While pasta cooks, finely mince 4 garlic cloves and heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic for 60 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Add 1/4 cup fresh basil, 2 tbsp lemon zest, and 1/4 cup lemon juice to the skillet; cook for 2 minutes until aromatic. Stir in drained spaghetti and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water until sauce coats strands evenly.
- Step 5: Fold in roasted tomatoes and 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives; cook for 2 minutes until heated through. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Herb Pasta with Roasted Cherry 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-Herb Pasta with Roasted 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-Herb Pasta with Roasted 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-Herb Pasta with Roasted 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.
Is Lemon-Herb Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes 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
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
