Spaghetti with Charred Cherry Tomatoes and Basil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-28 · Updated 2026-07-28

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Sweet cherry tomatoes blistered to a smoky finish tossed with al dente spaghetti and fresh basil for a simple Italian pasta dish. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 520 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 ounces spaghetti
400 grams cherry tomatoes
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
1/2 cup, roughly torn fresh basil leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup, freshly grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 ounces of spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
Step 3: Add 400 grams of cherry tomatoes, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes blister and start to char, releasing their juices.
Step 4: Add the drained spaghetti and reserved 1/2 cup pasta water to the skillet. Toss well to combine, cooking for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta.
Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup torn fresh basil leaves. Toss gently before serving immediately.