Sun-Ripened Tomato & Basil Pasta with Fresh Herbs

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 simple yet elegant pasta dish made with sun-ripened tomatoes and a generous amount of fresh basil, finished with a touch of garlic and olive oil for a taste of the garden. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 30 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 450 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 450 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 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 cloves garlic (minced) and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant—do not brown the garlic.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved) to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften and release juices, then stir in 1/4 cup basil (chopped).
  4. Step 4: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and toss for 1 minute until sauce thickens and coats pasta; season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  5. Step 5: Divide among plates, sprinkle with 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese, and serve immediately.

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