Sun-Kissed Summer Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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 drafted and published.

A vibrant Mediterranean pasta dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and a zesty lemon-herb dressing. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (mediterranean), ready in about 40 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, garlic 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: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant — do not let the garlic brown.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften and release their juices.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then add the drained pasta and toss to combine. If the sauce seems too thick, add 2-3 tablespoons of reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until the cheese melts and coats every strand.

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