Pasta with Heirloom Tomatoes and Fresh Basil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-22 · Updated 2026-04-22

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A simple, vibrant pasta dish featuring a mix of colorful heirloom tomatoes and aromatic basil, finished with garlic and olive oil. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 15 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

8 oz spaghetti
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves, minced garlic
2 cups, mixed colors and halved heirloom tomatoes
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
to taste salt
1/2 cup, reserved pasta water

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant—do not brown the garlic.
Step 3: Add 2 cups heirloom tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly softened.
Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until sauce coats the pasta.
Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup fresh basil and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt to taste.