One-Pot Garlic Butter Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
A creamy, one-pot pasta dish bursting with garlic, cherry tomatoes, and Parmesan, finished with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh parsley. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, garlic cloves 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 pint cherry tomatoes
- 4 garlic cloves
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 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. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 4 tbsp butter in the same pot over medium heat until the butter is melted and fragrant. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until golden.
- Step 3: Add 1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut into halves, and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and slightly caramelized. Stir in 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to create a sauce.
- Step 4: Add cooked pasta to the pot and toss to coat. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and clings to the pasta.
- Step 5: Remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Garlic Butter Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 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 Garlic Butter 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 Garlic Butter 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 Garlic Butter 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.
Is One-Pot Garlic Butter Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes 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
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
