Tomato-Basil Pasta with Roasted Garlic

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Creamy pasta tossed with roasted garlic, ripe tomatoes, and fresh basil for a vibrant, herbaceous dish. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes pairs pasta, ripe tomatoes, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 510 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.

★ 4.5 (11 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 510 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss garlic cloves with 1 tbsp olive oil on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Roast for 20 minutes until golden and soft.
  2. Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta for 8 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
  3. Step 3: Squeeze roasted garlic cloves into a bowl, discarding skins. Add 1/4 cup tomato chunks, 2 tbsp olive oil, and 1/4 cup vegetable stock. Mash until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Toss drained pasta with tomato-garlic mixture, remaining tomatoes, and 1/4 cup basil. Add reserved pasta water 1 tbsp at a time until creamy. Stir in pecorino cheese and remaining basil before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Tomato-Basil Pasta with Roasted Garlic take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Tomato-Basil Pasta with Roasted Garlic?

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 from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Tomato-Basil Pasta with Roasted Garlic?

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 Tomato-Basil Pasta with Roasted Garlic 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.

Is Tomato-Basil Pasta with Roasted Garlic vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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