One-Pot Lemon Garlic Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
A vibrant, no-fuss pasta dish with bright lemon flavor and sweet tomatoes, cooked entirely in one pot. This italian-inspired pasta 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
Instructions
- 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.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
- 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.
- Step 4: Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the spaghetti and add it directly to the skillet with the tomatoes.
- 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).
- Step 6: Season with 1/2 tsp salt, toss to combine, and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Lemon Garlic Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 17 minutes (5 min prep + 12 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 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 Lemon 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 Lemon 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 Lemon 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
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
