Cherry Tomato Pasta: Quick & Vibrant One Pan Dinner

Name: One Pan Cherry Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 8 ounces linguine; 1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half; 2 ounces baby spinach; 1 small onion, finely sliced; 3 garlic cloves, finely sliced; 1 handful fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (optional); 4 cups boiling water

Getting a healthy dinner on the table takes just one pan and about 25 minutes with my One Pan Cherry Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe. It’s a fresh, vibrant pasta dish that’s simple yet bursting with flavor, perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekend meals.

A large metal pan filled with creamy yellow pasta noodles, mixed with small red tomato pieces and dark green basil leaves. On top, there are a few fresh whole basil leaves placed in the center. Two black chopstick-like utensils are twirling some noodles with a small pile of light shredded cheese on top. The pan sits on a white marbled surface with a white cloth partially visible next to it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make One Pan Cherry Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve One Pan Cherry Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
One Pan Cherry Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I first stumbled across this style of pasta when I needed a no-fuss dinner that didn’t mean sacrificing flavor or freshness. Since then, it’s been a go-to in my kitchen, especially when I want something wholesome but still light. The shoulders-length pasta soaking up that juicy cherry tomato goodness alongside spinach? Pure magic.

Speedy and Simple: All ingredients cook together in one pan in just about 25 minutes, saving cleanup and time.
Fresh and Flavorful: Cherry tomatoes burst in the pan, mingling with garlic and basil to create a naturally fresh sauce.
Flexible and Adaptable: You can easily swap veggies or tweak seasoning to suit tastes or dietary needs.
Great for Leftovers: It reheats beautifully, making it a perfect candidate for lunch the next day.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This pasta is a lovely harmony of simple, fresh ingredients that cook together effortlessly. The key here is using a pan deep enough for the pasta and liquid to all cook evenly, creating a silky sauce from the tomatoes and water.

Flat lay of linguine pasta strands neatly coiled, a small pile of halved cherry tomatoes juicy and vibrant red, fresh baby spinach leaves tender and bright green, a small sliced white onion arranged in thin rings, three whole garlic cloves with smooth white skins, a handful of roughly chopped fresh basil leaves deep green and fragrant, a small white bowl filled with golden extra virgin olive oil, a small white bowl with crushed red pepper flakes vibrant red, another small white bowl containing fine white salt crystals, a small mound of grated pale yellow parmesan cheese, all displayed on simple white ceramic dishes and bowls, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Linguine: The classic long pasta shape is perfect here—the flat noodles hold onto the tomato sauce exquisitely.
Cherry Tomatoes: These add juiciness and slight sweetness that turns into a gorgeous sauce as they burst while cooking.
Baby Spinach: Fresh and tender, it wilts down quickly and adds color and a mild earthiness.
Small Onion: Thinly sliced for sweetness and a little bite as it softens in the cooking process.
Garlic Cloves: Sliced thin to infuse the pasta with warm, aromatic depth.
Fresh Basil Leaves: Tossed in to bring an herby freshness at the end, but also scattered throughout for layers of flavor.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The base that gently cooks everything and carries the flavor.
Crushed Red Pepper: Adds a subtle heat without overpowering the dish.
Salt: Essential for enhancing all the fresh ingredients.
Parmesan Cheese (Optional): Adds richness and a salty finish if you like a little cheesy goodness.
Boiling Water: The magic ingredient that softens the pasta while creating the base for your sauce.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easily you can make it your own. Whether you want to toss in more veggies or swap the pasta, it’s incredibly forgiving.

Vegan Friendly: I usually skip the Parmesan for a vegan version or sprinkle over a bit of nutritional yeast for a cheesy vibe without dairy.
Veggie Swap: Feel free to add zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers in the mix for more texture and flavor.
Spice it Up: If you like more heat, I sometimes double the crushed red pepper or add a pinch of smoked paprika for a smoky twist.
Gluten-Free Pasta: I've tried this with gluten-free linguine and it works perfectly—just keep an eye on cooking time as GF pasta can vary.

Step-by-Step: How I Make One Pan Cherry Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe

Two white bowls sit on a white marbled surface, each filled with spaghetti pasta mixed with small red tomato pieces and green basil leaves. The pasta is coated in a light sauce with a smooth, glossy texture. One bowl is closer to the camera and contains three fresh basil leaves on top, while the second bowl is partially visible and has a similar mix with basil leaves as garnish. To the side, there is a small white bowl filled with shredded cheese. The scene is bright and fresh, showing the details of the pasta strands, herbs, and cheese clearly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Gather and Prep Your Fresh Ingredients

First things first, slice your cherry tomatoes in half, finely slice the onion and garlic, and roughly chop the basil. I like to have everything ready on the counter before I start cooking—that way, the whole process flows smoothly. Nothing worse than scrambling to slice garlic while the pasta is already in the pan!

Step 2: Combine Everything in a Large Deep Pan

Place the linguine, cherry tomatoes, spinach, onion, garlic, and basil into the pan. Drizzle with your olive oil and sprinkle with crushed red pepper and salt. Don’t stir yet—just let everything sit there while you bring the water to a boil.

Step 3: Pour in Boiling Water and Cook

Pour four cups of boiling water into the pan—this is important to start the cooking process fast and evenly—and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir occasionally with tongs to prevent sticking and check how the pasta is softening. This usually takes 8–10 minutes. The magic: as the water reduces, the tomatoes break down and form a natural sauce that hugs the pasta.

Step 4: Finish with Cheese and Basil

Once most of the water is gone and your pasta is tender, remove the pan from heat. Stir in the Parmesan and a few extra basil leaves if you have them. This final step brightens the dish and adds a luxurious finish—you can skip the cheese if you want, but I love this touch.

Serve immediately while warm and enjoy the fresh, comforting flavors!

Top Tip

Having made this recipe countless times, I’ve learned some little tricks that make all the difference for perfect pasta every single time.

Use Boiling Water: Adding boiling water ensures the pasta starts cooking immediately—don't use cold or lukewarm water as it can lead to uneven cooking.
Stir Frequently: Stir with tongs every few minutes to prevent the linguine from sticking together or to the pan bottom.
Choose the Right Pan: A deep, wide pan is essential so the pasta has space to spread out evenly and cook properly.
Don’t Skip the Fresh Basil: It adds a fresh herbal lift that transforms the whole dish, especially if you add some at the end as a garnish.

How to Serve One Pan Cherry Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe

A pan filled with a colorful pasta soup is seen from above, showing three main layers: the clear broth with light brown color covering the whole pan, clusters of bright red cherry tomatoes and dark green spinach leaves floating in the broth, and long strands of yellow pasta mixed gently throughout the soup. Some white onion slices are visible among the greens and reds. A pair of metal tongs held by a woman's hand is stirring the soup on the right side of the pan. The pan sits on a black burner placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love finishing this pasta with a sprinkle of extra parmesan, a drizzle of good olive oil, and a few fresh basil leaves. Sometimes, I throw in toasted pine nuts for a little crunch, which gives a lovely texture contrast.

Side Dishes

It pairs beautifully with a simple green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette or some crusty garlic bread to soak up any extra sauce. I also sometimes serve it alongside roasted chicken breasts for a fuller meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a casual dinner party, I’ve served this pasta family-style on a big platter, garnished generously with basil and bright cherry tomatoes left whole for a pop of color. It’s a real crowd-pleaser and looks gorgeous after plating.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover pasta stores well in the fridge for 4-5 days in an airtight container. I find it even tastes better the next day once the flavors have melded a bit. Just make sure to cool it to room temperature before refrigerating to keep everything fresh.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this pasta successfully, though I recommend freezing it without the Parmesan and fresh basil stirred in. Leave those to add fresh when you reheat. Thaw gently overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

To reheat, I like to warm it gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or olive oil to revive the sauce and keep the pasta from drying out. You can also microwave it covered for a couple of minutes, stirring halfway through.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of pasta in this One Pan Cherry Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe?

Yes, you can substitute linguine with spaghetti, fettuccine, or even penne. Just keep in mind the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the shape and thickness.

Is this recipe suitable for vegan diets?

Absolutely. Simply omit the Parmesan cheese or swap it out for nutritional yeast or a plant-based Parmesan alternative to keep the dish vegan-friendly.

How do I prevent the pasta from sticking together while cooking in one pan?

Stirring frequently with tongs every few minutes is key; this keeps the pasta separated and ensures even cooking. Using boiling water also helps the pasta cook properly and reduces sticking.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare it ahead and store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of water or olive oil to refresh the sauce.

Final Thoughts

This One Pan Cherry Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe really feels like a little gift each time I make it—simple ingredients transformed into something comforting, fresh, and flavorful. It’s perfect for those evenings when you want a tasty meal without stress or fuss. I’m excited for you to try it in your kitchen and see just how easy and satisfying fresh pasta can be!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

Make It Your Way

Step-by-Step: How I Make One Pan Cherry Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Gather and Prep Your Fresh Ingredients