Sun-Kissed Tomato & Herb Pasta

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-02 · Updated 2026-04-02

A vibrant pasta dish featuring ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and garlic, finished with a touch of cream for richness and depth. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 35 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 620 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
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves, minced garlic
• 2 cups, diced ripe tomatoes
• 1/4 cup, thinly sliced fresh basil
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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 cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 cups diced tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes until they break down and reduce slightly, stirring occasionally.
4. Step 4: Add 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan to the skillet, stirring constantly until the cream thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 3 minutes.
5. Step 5: Toss the drained spaghetti into the skillet with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, adding more water if needed to create a glossy sauce. Stir in 1/4 cup sliced basil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until the pasta is evenly coated and heated through.