Print This Recipe

Creamy Tomato Ricotta Pasta Recipe

Ingredients

• 300g pasta (penne, rigatoni, or your favorite shape)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• ½ cup ricotta cheese
• ½ cup heavy cream (optional)
• ¼ cup pasta water (reserved)
• Fresh basil leaves, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Roast Those Tomatoes Kick things off by warming up your oven to a toasty 200°C (400°F). Once it’s ready, lay your cherry tomatoes out on a baking tray, giving them a generous drizzle of olive oil. A sprinkle of salt and pepper will do wonders here. Let them roast away for 15-20 minutes until they’re soft and just starting to caramelize. You want them to be sweet and a bit wrinkled—perfection in tomato form!

2. Step 2: Boil the Pasta While the tomatoes are doing their thing, set a large pot of salted water on the stove and bring it to a rolling boil. Toss in your pasta of choice, cooking it until it's perfectly al dente according to the package instructions. Don’t forget to scoop out a ¼ cup of the pasta water before you drain the rest—it's liquid gold for our sauce later on!

3. Step 3: Sauté the Onion and Garlic In a large skillet, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, letting it sauté until it’s beautifully soft and golden. Then, introduce the minced garlic, letting it sizzle for about 30 seconds. You’re looking for that heavenly, fragrant aroma—that’s when you know it’s ready!

4. Step 4: Simmer with Roasted Tomatoes Time to bring those lovely roasted tomatoes into the mix. Add them to the skillet, gently crushing a few to release their sweet juices. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and, if you’re feeling adventurous, a dash of crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. Let everything simmer together to meld those flavors beautifully.

5. Step 5: Create the Creamy Sauce Lower the heat and stir in the creamy goodness of ricotta cheese and heavy cream. Mix until you’ve got a smooth, velvety sauce. If it’s looking a tad thick, use your reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency to your liking. It’s all about that dreamy, creamy texture!

6. Step 6: Combine Pasta and Sauce Now for the fun part—add your cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing everything so each piece is deliciously coated with sauce. Let it all cook together for just a minute. This helps the pasta soak up all those amazing flavors.

7. Step 7: Plate and Garnish Finally, serve your pasta warm, sprinkled with fresh, vibrant basil. It not only adds a pop of color but also a burst of fresh, herby aroma. Enjoy your culinary creation with a smile!

Notes

Getting the balance just right in this delightful pasta dish can sometimes be a tad tricky. One pitfall to avoid is overcooking the pasta. Nobody wants mushy noodles, so keep a watchful eye and aim for that perfect al dente bite.

Another common misstep is being too shy with the seasoning. Salt and pepper are your friends, so don't be afraid to sprinkle a little extra as needed. Speaking of flavors, forgetting to reserve some pasta water can leave you in a bind. That starchy magic is key to achieving a silky sauce.

When roasting those cherry tomatoes, skipping the caramelization is a missed opportunity. Give them time to get all sweet and jammy—your taste buds will thank you later!

Lastly, remember that heavy hand with garnishes can bring extra freshness to your plate. Fresh basil not only tastes divine but looks stunning too. Happy cooking, and enjoy every creamy, tomatoey bite!

Keywords: Tomato Ricotta Pasta, Creamy Tomato Pasta, Ricotta Pasta Dish, Creamy Tomato Noodles, Tomato and Ricotta Pasta Recipe, Creamy Ricotta Pasta