One-Pot Lemon Garlic Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-10 · Updated 2026-04-10

A vibrant, no-fuss pasta dish with bright lemon flavor and sweet tomatoes, cooked entirely in one pot. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 17 minutes, pairs Spaghetti, Olive oil, Garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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

• 8 oz Spaghetti
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 3 Garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup Cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp Salt

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil (use 1/2 tsp salt in the water), add 8 oz spaghetti, and cook for 8 minutes until al dente.
2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
3. Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 45 seconds until fragrant, then add 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, cooking for 3 minutes until tomatoes soften.
4. Step 4: Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the spaghetti and add it directly to the skillet with the tomatoes.
5. Step 5: Stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, adding reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time until the sauce coats the pasta evenly (about 3 tablespoons).
6. Step 6: Season with 1/2 tsp salt, toss to combine, and serve immediately.