Sautéed Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Quick and vibrant pasta tossed with sun-ripened tomatoes and fresh basil for a bright, herbaceous finish. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 25 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 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
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, thinly sliced fresh basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
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 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 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant—do not brown garlic.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes to skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes until tomatoes begin to burst and release juices.
- Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and toss vigorously for 1 minute until water thickens into a light sauce.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil and cook for 1 minute more until basil wilts and flavors meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and 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 Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and 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 Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and 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 Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and 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
- ★★★★★
My kids devoured this! The basil made it taste like a real Italian trattoria—no fancy ingredients needed.
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner! The cherry tomatoes melted into the pasta beautifully and the basil added such a fresh kick.
- ★★★★☆
Bright and flavorful, but I found it slightly bland without extra garlic. Would add a pinch next time.
