Description
Tomato Ricotta Pasta is a quick, creamy, and comforting dish that combines short pasta with a rich tomato sauce, fresh ricotta, and fragrant basil. It’s an easy weeknight meal that feels indulgent but is light and satisfying.
Ingredients
- 300 g short pasta (about 10 oz)
- ½ onion, chopped
- 1 bunch fresh basil
- 1 bottle passata (or equivalent fresh tomato sauce)
- 250 g fresh ricotta cheese (about 8 oz)
- Parmigiano-Reggiano, to taste
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp rock salt (for pasta water)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add rock salt and pasta. Cook according to package instructions.
- In a large pan over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add chopped onion and sauté for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden.
- Add the passata to the onion and stir. Simmer on low heat for 15–20 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in basil and cook for 2–3 minutes more. Remove from heat.
- In a bowl, break up the ricotta with a fork. Add grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and a splash of reserved pasta water. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Return sauce to low heat. Stir in the ricotta mixture to form a creamy tomato-ricotta sauce.
- Drain the pasta, reserving additional pasta water. Add pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. Add reserved water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Serve immediately, topped with more Parmigiano-Reggiano and fresh basil.
Notes
- Use short pasta shapes like rigatoni, penne, or fusilli for best sauce cling.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
- Add chili flakes if you prefer heat.
- For added greens, stir in baby spinach or arugula at the end.
- Use quality ricotta for the creamiest texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
