Description
Savory roasted tomato and garlic ricotta pasta brings Mediterranean warmth to your dinner table with minimal effort. Rich flavors merge effortlessly, creating a simple yet elegant Italian-inspired dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (spaghetti, rigatoni, or penne)
- 2 cups (300 grams) cherry or grape tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240 grams) ricotta cheese
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- ¼ cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper and heating the oven to a robust 400F (200C), creating an ideal roasting environment.
- Distribute cherry tomatoes across the sheet, generously coating them with olive oil and sprinkling a harmonious blend of oregano, salt, cracked black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
- Scatter minced garlic throughout the tomatoes, gently tossing to ensure each morsel is evenly seasoned and glistening with aromatic oil.
- Transfer the prepared tomatoes to the preheated oven, allowing them to roast and transform for 20-25 minutes until they develop a beautiful blistered exterior and soft, concentrated interior.
- While tomatoes roast, cook pasta in generously salted boiling water until it reaches an al dente texture, capturing the perfect balance between tenderness and firmness.
- Drain the pasta, reserving a small amount of starchy cooking liquid to help create a silky sauce.
- In a separate bowl, blend ricotta cheese with fresh herbs, creating a creamy base that will complement the roasted tomatoes.
- Gently fold the roasted tomatoes and their caramelized juices into the prepared pasta, ensuring each strand is lovingly coated.
- Incorporate the herbed ricotta mixture, using reserved pasta water to achieve a luxurious, smooth consistency.
- Finish the dish with a final sprinkle of fresh herbs and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for added depth and brightness.
Notes
- Choose ripe, vibrant cherry tomatoes for the most intense flavor and natural sweetness during roasting.
- Add a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity if your tomatoes are slightly tart or not fully ripened.
- Experiment with different herbs like fresh basil or thyme to customize the roasted tomato profile and add complexity to the dish.
- For a dairy-free version, swap ricotta with cashew cream or tofu-based cheese alternative to maintain the creamy texture while accommodating plant-based diets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg