Sautéed Garlic Tomato Spaghetti with Fresh Basil
A simple, vibrant pasta dish with garlicky tomatoes and aromatic basil, perfect for weeknight dinners. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 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 450 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
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1.5 cups, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, adding 1 tsp salt. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding browning.
- Step 3: Add 1.5 cups halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and juicy, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until the sauce coats the pasta evenly.
- Step 5: Season with 1/4 tsp black pepper, transfer to plates, and sprinkle with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Tomato Spaghetti with Fresh 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 Garlic Tomato Spaghetti 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 Garlic Tomato Spaghetti 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 Garlic Tomato Spaghetti 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 Garlic Tomato Spaghetti 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
- ★★★★★
This was absolutely delicious! The garlic and tomatoes were perfectly balanced, and the fresh basil made it so aromatic. Made it for my date night and it was a hit.
- ★★★★★
My family loved this pasta! It's so simple and quick to make, yet it tastes like it came from a fancy Italian restaurant. Will definitely make again.
- ★★★★★
Best spaghetti recipe I've tried in years. The fresh basil at the end is a game-changer. I used my homegrown basil and it was amazing.
