One-Pot Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta with Fresh Basil
A vibrant pasta dish where sweet tomatoes roast while pasta cooks, creating a simple yet flavorful sauce that clings perfectly to each strand. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 50 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, halved cherry tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 540 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
- 2 cups, halved cherry tomatoes
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup, reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast on a baking sheet for 20 minutes until blistered.
- Step 2: While tomatoes roast, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/4 cup pasta water.
- Step 3: Heat 1 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 4: Add drained pasta, roasted tomatoes, and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until sauce coats pasta.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, tossing until cheese melts and sauce thickens to coat the back of a spoon.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta with Fresh Basil take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Roasted 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 Roasted 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 Roasted 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.
What goes well with One-Pot Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta with Fresh Basil?
Italian one pot 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
- ★★★★★
The one-pot magic is real—no extra pots to wash, and the tomatoes burst with flavor. Will make this weekly!
- ★★★★★
So simple yet so flavorful! Made it for my daughter's birthday dinner and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★★
The cherry tomatoes roasted perfectly and the fresh basil gave it that authentic Italian touch. My family devoured it!
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