One-Pan Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Fresh Basil
A simple yet elegant pasta dish that roasts cherry tomatoes and garlic in the oven while the pasta cooks, resulting in a vibrant and flavorful meal in one pan. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs Penne pasta, Cherry tomatoes, Garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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
- 8 oz Penne pasta
- 1.5 cups Cherry tomatoes
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/4 cup Fresh basil
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large oven-safe skillet, combine 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper; toss to coat.
- Step 2: Roast for 15 minutes, stirring once, until tomatoes are blistered and softened.
- Step 3: While tomatoes roast, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz penne pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 4: Add drained penne to skillet with roasted tomatoes, tossing to combine. Add 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, then add 2 tbsp reserved pasta water. Toss until sauce clings to pasta.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Fresh Basil 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 One-Pan Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Fresh Basil?
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 penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Fresh Basil?
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 One-Pan Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Fresh Basil 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 One-Pan Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Fresh Basil 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
- ★★★★★
A 5-minute dinner that looks restaurant-quality. My husband even ate his veggies!
- ★★★★★
The roasted tomatoes were a game-changer—so sweet and juicy! My kids begged for seconds.
- ★★★★★
The fresh basil at the end transformed the whole dish—so aromatic and authentic.
