One-Pot Cherry Tomato Pasta
A simple, flavorful pasta dish cooked entirely in one pot with ripe cherry tomatoes, garlic, and fresh herbs. This italian-inspired one pot (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs pasta, spaghetti, halved cherry tomatoes, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 pasta, spaghetti
- 2 cups, halved cherry tomatoes
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh, chopped basil
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and 1/2 tsp salt. Cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 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.
- Step 3: Add 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes begin to break down.
- Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss with 1/4 cup fresh basil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Cherry Tomato Pasta 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-Pot 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 pasta, spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot 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-Pot 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.
Is One-Pot Cherry Tomato Pasta 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
- ★★★★★
My family devoured this! The one-pot method saved me so much time.
- ★★★★★
The cherry tomatoes added such a fresh flavor, and it was so easy to clean up!
- ★★★★☆
Good recipe, but I found the sauce a bit bland. Next time I'll add more garlic.
