One-Pot Spaghetti with Garlic, Basil, and Cherry Tomatoes
A quick and flavorful Italian-inspired pasta dish where spaghetti cooks directly in a garlicky tomato broth with fresh basil, creating a rich sauce with minimal cleanup. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs spaghetti, garlic cloves, thinly sliced, cherry tomatoes, halved for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 cloves garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large deep skillet or wide pot, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 6 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften and release juices.
- Step 3: Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth and 1 cup water along with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Step 4: Add 12 oz uncooked spaghetti, pressing it down gently to submerge in the liquid. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes until pasta is al dente and the broth has reduced to a sauce.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup torn fresh basil leaves and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Spaghetti with Garlic, Basil, and Cherry Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Spaghetti with Garlic, Basil, and 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 Spaghetti with Garlic, Basil, and 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 Spaghetti with Garlic, Basil, and Cherry Tomatoes 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 Spaghetti with Garlic, Basil, and 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.
