One-Pan Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta
A vibrant weeknight pasta dish featuring sweet roasted tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil, all cooked in a single pan for effortless cleanup. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, cherry tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb cherry tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 1 lb cherry tomatoes with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1/2 tsp salt on a baking sheet, then roast for 15 minutes until slightly wrinkled.
- Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in the roasted tomatoes and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water.
- Step 4: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet, along with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 cup fresh basil, tossing until the sauce coats the pasta and the cheese melts.
- Step 5: Adjust consistency with remaining reserved pasta water if needed, then serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta?
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 One-Pan Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta?
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 Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta 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 One-Pan Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta?
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
- ★★★★★
This was the perfect weeknight meal! The tomatoes roasted beautifully and the pasta held up perfectly.
- ★★★★☆
Loved it! The pasta was perfectly al dente and the tomatoes were sweet without being acidic.
- ★★★★☆
Made this for my family last night—kids devoured it! The cherry tomatoes made the sauce so vibrant.
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