Tomato-Basil Pasta with Charred Cherry Tomatoes

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-09 · Updated 2026-04-09

Fresh basil and charred cherry tomatoes elevate simple pasta with a vibrant, summery flavor that cooks. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, olive oil 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.

Ingredients

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 1 lb, halved cherry tomatoes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves, minced garlic
• 1/4 cup, plus extra for garnish fresh basil
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

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, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes are blistered and slightly charred.
3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes to the skillet, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant. Toss in drained spaghetti and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, adding 1/4 cup chopped basil and 1/2 tsp salt. Cook for 1 minute until sauce coats pasta, adding more pasta water if needed.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat, stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan and remaining basil, then serve immediately with extra basil for garnish.