One-Pot Spaghetti with Garlic, Olive Oil, and Cherry Tomatoes
A simple, comforting Italian pasta dish cooked entirely in one pot for quick cleanup, featuring fragrant garlic and sweet cherry tomatoes. This italian-inspired one pot (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs spaghetti, extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, thinly sliced 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
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large deep skillet or pot, heat 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 12 oz dry spaghetti, 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the pot. Press spaghetti down to submerge as much as possible.
- Step 3: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, stirring frequently, for 10-12 minutes until pasta is al dente and most broth has absorbed, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Step 4: Remove from heat, stir in 1/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Toss gently to coat pasta in the garlicky, tomato sauce and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Spaghetti with Garlic, Olive Oil, and Cherry Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (5 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, Olive Oil, 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, Olive Oil, 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, Olive Oil, 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.
Is One-Pot Spaghetti with Garlic, Olive Oil, and Cherry Tomatoes 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
- ★★★★★
My family loved it! So easy to make and clean up.
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, the garlic and tomatoes were fresh and flavorful!
- ★★★★☆
Cooked it in 20 minutes as expected, but the pasta was a bit overcooked. Still delicious though.
