One-Pot Garlic Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
A vibrant pasta dish made with pantry staples and fresh cherry tomatoes, finished with a touch of Parmesan for a quick weeknight dinner. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- pinch black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup pasta water
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil in a large pot; add 1 tbsp salt. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent browning.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes until they soften and release juices, then stir in drained spaghetti and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water.
- Step 4: Toss for 1 minute until the pasta is coated, then remove from heat. Stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp salt, and a pinch of black pepper until the cheese melts and coats the strands evenly.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Garlic Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes 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 Garlic 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 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 Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Garlic Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes?
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 my go-to weeknight dinner. The garlic and tomatoes made it so flavorful and quick to make!
- ★★★★★
Loved how simple this recipe was. My family couldn't stop eating it, especially the kids who usually hate tomatoes.
- ★★★★☆
Easy and delicious! My wife and I made it for a date night and it was a hit. The one-pot feature saved me time.
