Tomato-Basil Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
A vibrant pasta dish featuring fresh basil, sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich tomato base that cooks in 20 minutes with minimal effort. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs spaghetti pasta, oil-packed, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, minced garlic 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti pasta
- 2 tbsp, oil-packed, chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- 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, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, cooking for 2 minutes until garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes and 1/4 tsp salt to the skillet. Cook for 3 minutes until tomatoes soften, then stir in drained spaghetti, 2 tbsp reserved pasta water, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Toss until sauce coats pasta, adding more pasta water if too dry. Stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tomato-Basil Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes 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 Tomato-Basil Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes?
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 spaghetti pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Tomato-Basil Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes?
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 Sun-Dried Tomatoes 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 Tomato-Basil Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes?
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
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
