Sun-Ripened Tomato & Herb Pasta

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A light, fresh pasta dish featuring juicy heirloom tomatoes and aromatic herbs, ready in 20 minutes with pantry staples. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs Pasta (spaghetti or linguine), medium Ripe heirloom tomatoes, Fresh basil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

★ 3.3 (13 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, dice tomatoes into 1/4-inch pieces and place in a bowl. Finely chop 3 garlic cloves and add to tomatoes with 3 tbsp olive oil, red pepper flakes, and 1/2 tsp salt. Stir to combine and let sit for 5 minutes to release juices.
  3. Step 3: Add drained pasta to the tomato mixture along with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously over medium heat for 2 minutes until sauce clings to pasta and thickens slightly.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat, stir in 1/3 cup chopped basil and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan. Adjust salt if needed and serve immediately with extra Parmesan for garnish.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sun-Ripened Tomato & Herb Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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-Ripened Tomato & Herb 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 pasta (spaghetti or linguine) from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sun-Ripened Tomato & Herb 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-Ripened Tomato & Herb Pasta for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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.

What goes well with Sun-Ripened Tomato & Herb Pasta?

Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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