Tomato-Basil Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Cherry Tomatoes

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

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 yet vibrant pasta dish featuring a fresh tomato sauce infused with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil, served with al dente spaghetti. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 400 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti
8 oz cherry tomatoes
2 oz sun-dried tomatoes
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic
1/2 cup fresh basil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

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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, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 oz chopped sun-dried tomatoes, sautéing for 2 minutes until fragrant.
Step 3: Add 8 oz halved cherry tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the skillet, cooking for 5-6 minutes until tomatoes soften and release juices, stirring occasionally.
Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until sauce coats the pasta. Stir in 1/2 cup fresh basil and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Serve immediately with extra basil for garnish.