One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
A rich, velvety tomato pasta made in a single pot with fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, and a splash of cream—ready in 25 minutes with minimal cleanup. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 25 minutes pairs spaghetti, halved cherry tomatoes, heavy cream 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
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1.5 cups, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil (use 1 tbsp salt for 4 quarts water). Add spaghetti and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until golden, then stir in cherry tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes until they begin to burst.
- Step 3: Add drained spaghetti, reserved pasta water, chicken broth, heavy cream, and salt and pepper to the skillet. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the pasta. Stir in half the basil and Parmesan, then serve topped with remaining basil and extra Parmesan.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (5 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-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with 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 One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with 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 One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with 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 One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes?
Italian one pot 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
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 20-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
