One-Pot Tomato-Caper Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant pasta dish where cherry tomatoes and capers infuse a simple tomato sauce with briny brightness. This italian-inspired one pot (vegetarian) ready in about 22 minutes pairs penne pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, drained capers for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 2, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add penne and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Stir in cherry tomatoes and capers, cooking for 3 minutes until tomatoes soften and release juice. Add drained pasta, reserved pasta water, and salt, tossing until sauce coats pasta and thickens (about 2 minutes).
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat, stir in fresh basil, and serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Tomato-Caper Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes take to make?

Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 Tomato-Caper Pasta with 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 penne pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Tomato-Caper Pasta with 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 Tomato-Caper Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Tomato-Caper Pasta with 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.

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