Sautéed Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
A simple weeknight dinner featuring tender pasta coated in a vibrant tomato-basil sauce, enhanced by roasted cherry tomatoes. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, medium, finely diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, finely diced onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
- 1/2 cup 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 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium onion, finely diced, and 4 cloves garlic, minced, and cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved, to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes soften and release juices.
- Step 4: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until the sauce coats every strand.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 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 Pasta with Roasted 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 Roasted 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 Roasted 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 Roasted 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 family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
