Wood-Fired Roasted Garlic and Tomato Pasta with Basil
Pasta tossed in a sauce of roasted cherry tomatoes and garlic, finished with fresh basil and Parmesan for a quick yet elegant meal. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs cherry tomatoes, whole garlic cloves, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 6 whole garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1/2 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 2 cups cherry tomatoes and 6 whole garlic cloves with 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes on a baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes until tomatoes burst and garlic softens.
- Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 3: Squeeze roasted garlic cloves out of their skins into a large bowl. Add roasted tomatoes and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, mashing slightly to create a chunky sauce.
- Step 4: Toss hot spaghetti into the roasted tomato and garlic sauce along with 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Stir vigorously until sauce coats pasta evenly.
- Step 5: Serve immediately, garnished with additional basil and Parmesan if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Wood-Fired Roasted Garlic and Tomato Pasta with Basil take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 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 Wood-Fired Roasted Garlic and Tomato Pasta with Basil?
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 cherry tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Wood-Fired Roasted Garlic and Tomato Pasta with Basil?
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 Wood-Fired Roasted Garlic and Tomato Pasta with Basil 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 Wood-Fired Roasted Garlic and Tomato Pasta with Basil 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.
