Name: Creamy Pesto Tomato Spaghetti Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 19 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 Tbs Olive Oil; 2 Tbs Butter; 1 Pint Cherry Tomatoes, whole or halved; 3 Cloves Garlic, minced; Salt & Pepper to taste; 1 Cup Prepared Basil Pesto; 1 Cup Sour Cream, room temp; 1 Cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated; 1 Pound Spaghetti, cooked in salted water (plus, one ladle of reserved pasta water)

Creamy Pesto Tomato Spaghetti is an easy 30 minute dinner made with burst cherry tomatoes, garlic, basil pesto, Parmesan cheese, and a silky, creamy sauce that coats every strand of spaghetti.

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

If you’re looking for an easy spaghetti dinner that’s packed with flavor but doesn’t require a long list of ingredients, this Creamy Pesto Tomato Spaghetti is exactly what you need. Burst cherry tomatoes, fresh garlic, basil pesto, and a creamy Parmesan sauce come together in about 30 minutes. Its a comforting meal that’s simple enough for a weeknight but delicious enough to serve to guests.

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how a handful of simple ingredients transform into something that tastes like it came from your favorite Italian restaurant. The tomatoes become sweet as they cook, the pesto adds fresh basil flavor, and a splash of reserved pasta water creates a silky sauce that coats every strand of spaghetti perfectly.

Why You’ll Love It

Easy weeknight dinner. Ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish.
Simple pantry ingredients. Everything is easy to find at your local grocery store.
Creamy without being overly rich. Sour cream gives the sauce a light, tangy creaminess.
Easy to customize. Add chicken, shrimp, sausage, or vegetables to make it your own.

Why Use Sour Cream Instead Of Heavy Cream?

Sour cream gives the sauce a creamy texture with a subtle tang that complements the basil pesto and sweet tomatoes. It creates a lighter-tasting sauce than heavy cream while still making it rich and satisfying. The reserved pasta water helps bring everything together into a smooth, silky consistency.

Instructions

Here’s how to make this amazing spaghetti. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements and instructions on the recipe card below.

Olive Oil – Helps cook the tomatoes while adding a rich base of flavor.
Butter – Adds richness and balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
Cherry Tomatoes – As they soften and burst, they create little pockets of sweet tomato flavor throughout the dish.
Garlic – Fresh garlic adds savory flavor that pairs perfectly with basil pesto.
Salt & Black Pepper – Simple seasonings that enhance every ingredient.
Prepared Basil Pesto – The main flavor of the sauce with fresh basil, Parmesan, garlic, and olive oil.
Sour Cream – Creates a creamy sauce with a slight tang that keeps the dish rich without feeling too heavy.
Grated Parmesan Cheese – Melts into the sauce for a creamy, salty finish.
Spaghetti – The perfect pasta for soaking up every bit of the creamy pesto sauce.
Reserved Pasta Water – The secret ingredient that brings the sauce together into a silky, restaurant-style finish.

How To Make It

Here’s how to make this delicious pasta dinner. You can find the full ingredients list along with instructions on the recipe card below.

Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cherry tomatoes and season lightly with salt and black pepper. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften and begin to burst. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

cherry tomatoes and garlic sauted in butter and olive oil

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the pesto and sour cream until smooth and creamy. Add the cooked spaghetti and pasta water and toss until every strand is coated. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until melted into the sauce.

blistered cherry tomatoes in a skillet with pesto and sour cream then tossed in spaghetti

Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and freshly cracked black pepper.

finished creamy tomato pesto spaghetti in skillet

What to Serve With It

This spaghetti pairs perfectly with Homemade Garlic Bread, Caesar salad, Roasted Broccoli, Chicken Cutlets, roasted asparagus, or a simple green salad. It’s also a great meal to serve with crusty Italian bread for soaking up every last bit of the creamy pesto sauce.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce. I don’t recommend freezing this recipe since dairy-based sauces can separate after thawing.

Other Easy Spaghetti Recipes

Theres nothing better than a nice, big bowl of spaghetti. I've rounded up all my delicious spaghetti recipes from my site so you can find them all in one place.

Find All My Spaghetti Recipes here