Sautéed Cherry Tomato Pasta with Basil
Quick and vibrant pasta tossed with sun-ripened tomatoes, fresh basil, and a touch of garlic for a bright, herbaceous meal. This italian-inspired pasta 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 400 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
- 1.5 lbs cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 1.5 lbs halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes until tomatoes release juice and begin to soften. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil and 1 tsp salt, then add drained pasta and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss for 2 minutes until sauce coats pasta and thickens slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Cherry Tomato Pasta with Basil take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Sautéed Cherry Tomato 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 from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Cherry Tomato 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 Sautéed Cherry Tomato 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.
What goes well with Sautéed Cherry Tomato Pasta with Basil?
Italian pasta 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
- ★★★★★
This recipe transformed my weeknight dinners! The tomatoes were perfectly sweet and the basil made it taste like a trattoria in my own kitchen.
- ★★★★★
Made this for date night and my partner called it 'restaurant-quality.' Simple, fresh, and perfect with crusty bread.
- ★★★★★
My kids begged for seconds! The cherry tomatoes gave such a vibrant color and flavor—this is now a staple.
