One-Pot Italian Tomato Basil Pasta with Garlic and Parmesan

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-26 · Updated 2026-06-26

A simple, flavorful one-pot pasta dish where spaghetti cooks directly in a fragrant tomato and garlic broth, finished with fresh basil and Parmesan. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, garlic cloves, thinly sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 460 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
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large deep skillet or pot, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
2. Step 2: Add 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 12 oz dry spaghetti broken in half, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, stirring frequently, for 10-12 minutes until the pasta is al dente and the liquid has mostly evaporated, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup torn fresh basil leaves and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Serve immediately.