Sautéed Cherry Tomato Pasta with Fresh Basil
Bright cherry tomatoes and garlic meld into a simple sauce that coats tender pasta, finished with a burst of fresh basil for a weeknight dinner that feels special. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 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
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 lb, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
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 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb halved cherry tomatoes and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes to the skillet, then cook for 5 minutes until tomatoes soften and release juices, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, tossing to coat the pasta in the tomato sauce; cook for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and season with salt and black pepper to taste; serve immediately with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese per serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Cherry Tomato Pasta with Fresh Basil take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Fresh 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 Fresh 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 Fresh 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 Fresh 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
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 25-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
