One-Pot Spaghetti with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
A vibrant pasta dish with sweet roasted tomatoes and fresh basil, ready in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup. This italian-inspired quick meals ready in about 35 minutes pairs spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, 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
- 1 lb cherry tomatoes
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
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 reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 lb cherry tomatoes, sautéing for 5 minutes until tomatoes burst and release juices.
- Step 3: Add drained spaghetti to skillet with tomato mixture, along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats pasta.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy, then serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Spaghetti with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 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 Spaghetti with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and 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 Spaghetti with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and 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 Spaghetti with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and 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 Spaghetti with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil?
Italian quick meals 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
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a weeknight dinner. The one-pot method saved me so much cleanup!
- ★★★★★
Easy and delicious. I used fresh basil from my garden and it made all the difference.
- ★★★★★
This recipe was a hit with my family! The roasted tomatoes were bursting with flavor and made the dish so vibrant.
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