Ultra-Quick Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
A light, fresh pasta dish ready in 12 minutes, featuring sweet cherry tomatoes and aromatic garlic in a simple olive oil base. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 17 minutes pairs spaghetti, halved cherry tomatoes, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a boil in a large pot. Add spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 3 minutes until slightly softened. Toss in drained spaghetti, 2 tbsp reserved pasta water, and fresh basil. Cook for 1 minute until sauce coats pasta.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ultra-Quick Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 17 minutes (5 min prep + 12 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 Ultra-Quick Pasta with Cherry 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 from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Ultra-Quick Pasta with Cherry 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 Ultra-Quick Pasta with Cherry 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 Ultra-Quick Pasta with Cherry 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
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a weeknight dinner! So simple and fresh.
- ★★★★★
This was so quick and delicious! My kids loved it.
- ★★★★☆
Tasted great, but the tomatoes were a bit bland without more seasoning.
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