Sautéed Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes and Fresh Basil
A vibrant weeknight pasta dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a simple tomato-basil sauce with sweet cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 27 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 480 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 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
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 2 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes and 1/2 tsp salt to the skillet, cooking for 3 minutes until tomatoes soften and release juices, then stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil.
- Step 4: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 2 tbsp reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until the sauce coats the pasta evenly and thickens slightly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes and Fresh Basil take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes and 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 Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes and 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 Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes and 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 Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes and 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
- ★★★★★
The basil made it so fresh! My kids loved the cherry tomatoes.
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. The simplicity is the best!
- ★★★★☆
Tasted great, but the tomatoes took a bit longer to sauté than I expected.
