Serious Tomato-Basil Pasta with Roasted Vegetables
A hearty Italian dish featuring al dente pasta tossed in a rich tomato-basil sauce, paired with caramelized roasted vegetables for depth of flavor. This italian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 75 minutes pairs spaghetti, medium, diced ripe tomatoes, chopped fresh basil leaves 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
- 4 medium, diced ripe tomatoes
- 1/3 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1, diced red bell pepper
- 1, diced zucchini
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, and diced red bell pepper and zucchini on a baking sheet. Roast for 25 minutes until tender and golden.
- Step 2: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 3: In a skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in tomatoes, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, and 1 tbsp water. Simmer 10 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Step 4: Fold in roasted vegetables, basil, and parsley. Add pasta and toss to coat, stirring in reserved pasta water as needed. Adjust seasoning before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Serious Tomato-Basil Pasta with Roasted Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (30 min prep + 45 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 Serious Tomato-Basil Pasta with Roasted Vegetables?
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 Serious Tomato-Basil Pasta with Roasted Vegetables?
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 Serious Tomato-Basil Pasta with Roasted Vegetables 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 Serious Tomato-Basil Pasta with Roasted Vegetables?
Italian vegetarian 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
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
