One-Pot Lemon Cherry Tomato Pasta with Fresh Basil
A vibrant, one-pan pasta dish featuring tender spaghetti tossed in a bright lemon-tomato sauce with fresh herbs, ready in 25 minutes. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1, juiced (1/4 cup) lemon
- 1/4 cup, thinly sliced fresh basil
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup, reserved pasta water
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; drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes and 1/4 cup lemon juice to the skillet, cooking for 3 minutes until tomatoes soften and release juice.
- Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, tossing vigorously for 2 minutes until sauce coats pasta.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil and season with salt to taste; serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Lemon Cherry Tomato Pasta with Fresh Basil 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 Lemon Cherry Tomato Pasta with Fresh Basil?
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 Lemon Cherry Tomato Pasta with Fresh Basil?
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 Lemon Cherry Tomato Pasta with Fresh Basil 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 Lemon Cherry Tomato Pasta with Fresh Basil 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
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 15-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
