Easy Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta Recipe with Fresh Basil for Perfect Dinner
A quick and satisfying pasta dish featuring roasted cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and simple ingredients that come together with minimal fuss for a comforting meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pints (about 450–500 grams / 1 pound) cherry tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or minced
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn or roughly chopped (about 15–20 grams)
- 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti or linguine
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Rinse cherry tomatoes and pat dry. Toss them in a bowl with olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Spread evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer.
- Roast tomatoes in the oven for 20-25 minutes until blistered and slightly caramelized but still holding shape. Shake the pan gently halfway through to prevent sticking.
- While tomatoes roast, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Transfer roasted tomatoes and their juices to a large skillet over medium heat. Add drained pasta and toss gently to combine. Add reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time if mixture seems dry.
- Remove from heat and fold in fresh basil leaves and lemon zest if using. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Serve pasta divided among plates, sprinkled generously with Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
Notes
If tomatoes start sticking during roasting, gently shake the pan halfway through cooking. For more garlic flavor, add an extra minced clove with the pasta. Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free. Omit Parmesan or use nutritional yeast for a vegan version. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce and help it cling to noodles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 2.5
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 12
Keywords: roasted cherry tomato pasta, fresh basil pasta, easy pasta recipe, quick dinner, vegetarian pasta, healthy pasta, weeknight dinner