One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Linguine with Cherry Tomatoes
A bright, weeknight-friendly pasta dish featuring tender linguine tossed with sun-ripened tomatoes and fresh herbs. This italian-inspired pasta (gluten-free) ready in about 35 minutes pairs linguine, olive oil, garlic 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.
Ingredients
- 8 oz linguine
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 12 oz cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 quarts of water in a large pot to a rolling boil. Add 1/2 tsp kosher salt and 8 oz linguine, stirring to prevent sticking. Cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 12 oz halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet, stirring until they begin to burst and release juice, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1 tsp lemon zest and 1/4 cup fresh basil.
- Step 4: Add drained linguine to the skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until the sauce coats the pasta evenly and thickens. Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan until melted.
- Step 5: Season with additional salt if needed, then serve immediately with extra basil for garnish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Linguine with Cherry Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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-Garlic Linguine 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 linguine from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Linguine 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 Lemon-Garlic Linguine 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 Lemon-Garlic Linguine with Cherry Tomatoes gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 20-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
