Sweet & Savory Tomato Shell Pasta with Herb Croutons
A playful pasta with cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, and golden croutons that turns dinner into a colorful adventure for little ones. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 27 minutes pairs shell pasta, olive oil, finely chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 shell pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp dried basil
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh basil
- 1 slice, cut into 1/2-inch cubes baguette
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz shell pasta and cook for 9 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup finely chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3 minutes until onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 tsp sugar, and 1/4 tsp dried basil. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes break down and sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 4: Add drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly. Sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil. In a separate small skillet, toast 1/2-inch baguette cubes in 1 tsp oil until golden and crisp (about 3 minutes). Serve pasta topped with crispy croutons.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sweet & Savory Tomato Shell Pasta with Herb Croutons take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Sweet & Savory Tomato Shell Pasta with Herb Croutons?
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 shell pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet & Savory Tomato Shell Pasta with Herb Croutons?
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 Sweet & Savory Tomato Shell Pasta with Herb Croutons 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.
What goes well with Sweet & Savory Tomato Shell Pasta with Herb Croutons?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
