One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Fresh Herbs

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich, velvety tomato-basil sauce coats al dente pasta in one pot, with fresh basil and Parmesan for a comforting weeknight meal. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, small, finely diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente; drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 small finely diced onion and cook 5 minutes until soft and translucent, then add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup fresh basil (chopped), 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to skillet with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until sauce coats pasta and reaches creamy consistency.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed, then serve topped with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Fresh Herbs take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 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 One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Fresh Herbs?

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 Fresh Herbs?

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 Fresh Herbs 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 Fresh Herbs?

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.

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