Quick Tomato Basil Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-29 · Updated 2026-03-29

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 drafted and published.

A vibrant, no-fuss pasta dish with ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and garlic, finished with a drizzle of olive oil and Parmesan. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti
1 pint (halved) cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup (chopped) fresh basil
3 cloves (minced) garlic
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup (grated) Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in cherry tomatoes and cook 5 minutes until softened and slightly caramelized. Add basil, 1/4 tsp salt, and red pepper flakes; cook 2 minutes until tomatoes release their juices.
Step 3: Add cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss with sauce, adding 1-2 tbsp reserved pasta water to create a glossy coating. Stir in Parmesan and remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Season with remaining salt and pepper. Serve immediately.