Tomato-Basil Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-23 · Updated 2026-04-23

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 developed and reviewed.

A simple, vibrant pasta dish featuring sun-ripened tomatoes and fresh basil in a garlic-infused oil. This Italian-inspired meal-prep recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs pasta, cherry tomatoes, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti pasta
2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
3 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves, minced garlic
1/2 cup fresh, chopped basil
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook 8-10 minutes until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes; cook 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Step 3: Add cherry tomatoes and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes soften and release juices.
Step 4: Toss drained pasta into skillet with tomatoes, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a light sauce. Stir in fresh basil and Parmesan; serve immediately with extra basil.