One-Pot Roasted Garlic and Tomato Basil Pasta
A simple Italian-inspired pasta dish where garlic and tomatoes roast together to create a rich, flavorful sauce, tossed with fresh basil and spaghetti. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs spaghetti, whole garlic cloves, cherry tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 6 whole garlic cloves
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp, divided salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F. On a baking sheet, toss 6 whole garlic cloves and 2 cups cherry tomatoes with 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Roast for 20 minutes until garlic is soft and tomatoes blister and release juices.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, break 12 oz spaghetti in half and place in a large oven-safe pot or deep skillet. Add 4 cups water, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
- Step 3: Remove the roasted garlic cloves from the baking sheet and squeeze the softened garlic out of their skins, then add the garlic and the roasted tomatoes with their juices into the pot with pasta.
- Step 4: Cover the pot and cook over medium heat for 12-14 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has absorbed into a sauce.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until the cheese melts and coats the pasta. Adjust seasoning with remaining 1/2 tsp salt if needed and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Roasted Garlic and Tomato Basil Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Garlic and Tomato Basil Pasta?
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 Garlic and Tomato Basil Pasta?
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 Garlic and Tomato Basil Pasta 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 Roasted Garlic and Tomato Basil Pasta 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.
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