Description
Roasted tomato and garlic ricotta pasta showcases Mediterranean flavors with rustic charm. Silky ricotta melds with caramelized tomatoes, creating a simple yet elegant Italian-inspired dish you’ll savor with each comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (spaghetti, rigatoni, or penne)
- 2 cups (300 g) cherry or grape tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240 g) ricotta cheese
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 400F (200C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating an optimal roasting environment for the tomatoes.
- Seasoning: Coat cherry tomatoes and minced garlic with olive oil, then generously season with oregano, salt, cracked black pepper, and red pepper flakes to enhance flavor complexity.
- Roasting: Spread seasoned tomatoes and garlic on the prepared baking sheet, roasting for 20-25 minutes until they develop a blistered exterior and concentrated interior, intensifying their natural sweetness.
- Pasta Cooking: Simultaneously cook pasta in heavily salted boiling water until achieving the perfect al dente texture, then reserve a small amount of starchy cooking liquid for sauce creation.
- Ricotta Preparation: Whisk ricotta with fresh herbs, creating a creamy, aromatic base that will elevate the dish’s overall flavor profile.
- Combining: Gently fold roasted tomatoes and their caramelized juices into the cooked pasta, then incorporate the herbed ricotta mixture, using reserved pasta water to create a silky, luxurious sauce.
- Finishing: Garnish with additional fresh herbs and a delicate drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to add brightness and depth to the final presentation.
Notes
- Roast Tomatoes Precisely: Watch carefully during roasting to prevent burning, aiming for blistered exterior without charring. Larger tomatoes might need slight adjustment in roasting time.
- Control Pasta Moisture: Reserve pasta water strategically; start with small amounts when creating sauce to prevent overwhelming ricotta’s creamy texture. Gradually add liquid for perfect consistency.
- Herb Selection Matters: Use fresh herbs like basil or parsley for maximum flavor impact. Dried herbs work, but fresh herbs provide brighter, more vibrant taste profile.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Easily adapt recipe for gluten-free diets by substituting regular pasta with zucchini noodles or grain-free alternatives. For dairy-free version, replace ricotta with cashew cream or tofu-based spread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg