Lemon-Herb White Bean Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
A bright, creamy pasta dish featuring cannellini beans, fresh herbs, and sweet roasted cherry tomatoes that come together in under 30 minutes. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 40 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 620 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 lb, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz), rinsed cannellini beans
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 1/2 cup, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp, plus more to taste salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup, freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 1 lb halved cherry tomatoes with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper on a baking sheet, then roast for 20 minutes until juicy and slightly caramelized.
- Step 2: While tomatoes roast, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 3: Heat remaining 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 can rinsed cannellini beans, 1/2 cup chopped parsley, 1 tbsp chopped thyme, and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Cook for 2 minutes until beans are heated through.
- Step 5: Add drained spaghetti and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until sauce clings to pasta, adding more pasta water if too dry.
- Step 6: Fold in roasted tomatoes, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese until melted and creamy.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Herb White Bean 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 White Bean 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 White Bean 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 White Bean 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.
What goes well with Lemon-Herb White Bean Pasta with Roasted Cherry 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
I've tried many pasta recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
