One-Pot Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Fresh Basil
A vibrant, weeknight-friendly pasta dish featuring tender spaghetti coated in a garlicky tomato sauce with fresh basil, all cooked in one pot for minimal cleanup. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 40 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 500 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
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 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, then drain and immediately reserve 1/4 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in the same pot over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent browning.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes to the pot and sauté for 3 minutes until tomatoes soften and release juices, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Return the drained spaghetti to the pot, add the reserved 1/4 cup pasta water, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until cheese melts and sauce coats every strand evenly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Fresh Basil take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and 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 Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and 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 Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and 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 Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and 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
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to pasta dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
