Sun-Dried Tomato and Mozzarella Pasta
A simple, vibrant pasta dish with sun-dried tomatoes and melted mozzarella, ready in 25 minutes for weeknight dinners. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs spaghetti, sun-dried tomatoes in oil, mozzarella cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1/4 cup, drained sun-dried tomatoes in oil
- 1/2 cup, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup pasta water
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1/4 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes, then stir in 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella until melted.
- Step 4: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet and toss with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water for 1 minute, until the sauce coats the pasta.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and season with salt to taste. Serve immediately.









