Sun-Kissed Mediterranean Pasta

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant dish of zesty cherry tomatoes, briny olives, and fragrant herbs tossed with al dente pasta and a drizzle of olive oil. This mediterranean-inspired mediterranean (vegetarian) ready in about 50 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

★ 3.7 (12 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 450 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cook spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Toss in cherry tomatoes and olives. Cook for 5 minutes until tomatoes soften and olives release their oil.
  4. Step 4: Add cooked pasta, 1 tbsp olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat. If dry, add 1-2 tbsp pasta water.
  5. Step 5: Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sun-Kissed Mediterranean Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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 Sun-Kissed Mediterranean Pasta?

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 Sun-Kissed Mediterranean Pasta?

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 Sun-Kissed Mediterranean Pasta 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.

Is Sun-Kissed Mediterranean Pasta vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying

Related recipes