Rustic Tomato and Roasted Garlic Pasta with Basil
Al dente pasta tossed in a rustic sauce of slow-roasted garlic and fresh tomatoes, finished with fragrant basil and a drizzle of olive oil. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 60 minutes pairs spaghetti pasta, roma tomatoes, diced, bulb whole garlic bulb 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 pasta
- 4 cups roma tomatoes, diced
- 1 bulb whole garlic bulb
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- enough for boiling pasta water
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Slice the top off 1 whole garlic bulb to expose the cloves, drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 35 minutes until soft and golden.
- Step 2: While the garlic roasts, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 3: In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 4 cups diced roma tomatoes, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10 minutes until the tomatoes soften and the sauce thickens.
- Step 4: Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from the bulb into the tomato sauce, mashing them with a spoon and stirring until fully incorporated.
- Step 5: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until the sauce coats every strand and becomes silky.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup torn fresh basil leaves, then serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rustic Tomato and Roasted Garlic Pasta with Basil take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 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 Rustic Tomato and Roasted Garlic Pasta with 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 pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rustic Tomato and Roasted Garlic Pasta with 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 Rustic Tomato and Roasted Garlic Pasta with 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.
Is Rustic Tomato and Roasted Garlic Pasta with Basil 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.
