Description
Indulgent Creamy Tomato Ricotta Pasta blends Italian comfort with silky richness, creating a luxurious meal that dances between tangy and smooth. Each forkful promises a delightful harmony of fresh ingredients that will transport you straight to a charming Mediterranean kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 300 grams (10.5 ounces) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or your favorite shape)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Seasoning and Dairy:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
- 1/4 cup pasta water (reserved)
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200C (400F). Arrange cherry tomatoes on a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Roast for 15-20 minutes until softened and slightly caramelized.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute diced onions until golden and translucent, then add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Introduce roasted tomatoes to the skillet, gently crushing some to release their juices. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and optional red pepper flakes. Simmer to blend flavors.
- Reduce heat and incorporate ricotta cheese and heavy cream, stirring until a smooth sauce forms. Adjust consistency using reserved pasta water if needed.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing thoroughly to coat each strand with the creamy sauce. Allow to heat together for one minute to meld flavors.
- Transfer to serving plates, garnish with fresh basil leaves. The vibrant herbs will add a final aromatic touch to the dish.
Notes
- Choose ripe, deep-colored cherry tomatoes for maximum sweetness and caramelization during roasting.
- Reserve pasta water before draining, as its starchy goodness helps create a silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats each pasta strand.
- Gently crush some roasted tomatoes while simmering to release natural sugars and intensify the sauce’s depth and complexity.
- Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or plant-based cream for lighter versions, and use gluten-free pasta to accommodate different dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 40mg