Lemon-Herb Roasted Tomato Pasta with Crispy Garlic
A vibrant vegetarian pasta dish featuring sun-ripened tomatoes roasted until caramelized, tossed with al dente pasta and fragrant garlic, finished with fresh herbs and lemon zest for a bright, comforting meal. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, thinly sliced garlic
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss 1 cup cherry tomatoes with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper on a baking sheet; roast for 15 minutes until tomatoes burst and edges are golden.
- Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8 minutes until al dente; reserve 1/4 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 3: While pasta cooks, heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant and golden — do not brown. Remove from heat.
- Step 4: Add drained spaghetti, roasted tomatoes, 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup chopped basil, 2 tbsp chopped parsley, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1 tbsp lemon juice to the skillet. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until sauce clings to pasta and thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Season with remaining 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper; serve immediately with extra basil and lemon zest.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Herb Roasted Tomato Pasta with Crispy Garlic 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 Roasted Tomato Pasta with Crispy 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 Lemon-Herb Roasted Tomato Pasta with Crispy 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 Lemon-Herb Roasted Tomato Pasta with Crispy Garlic for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Roasted Tomato Pasta with Crispy 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to pasta dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
