Irresistible Creamy Tomato Ricotta Pasta Recipe For Dinner

Creamy ricotta blends with vibrant tomato sauce in this irresistible silky tomato ricotta pasta that promises pure comfort on a plate.

Rich Italian flavors dance through every twirled forkful of tender noodles.

Smooth ricotta gives the sauce an unexpected luxurious texture that melts beautifully into warm pasta.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of tangy tomatoes and velvety cheese.

Fresh herbs scattered on top add a bright, aromatic finish to this simple yet elegant dish.

Home cooks love how quickly this recipe comes together with just a few quality ingredients.

Savor the magic of this delightful pasta that turns an ordinary meal into something truly special.

Serve Creamy Tomato Ricotta Pasta With Garlic Bread

• Pasta Night Magic: Dress up this creamy tomato ricotta pasta with exciting serving twists!
• Family-Friendly Feast: Serve alongside a crisp green salad with light vinaigrette for balanced nutrition and added freshness.
• Wine Pairing Wonder: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the tomato's acidity and pasta's richness.
• Texture Touchdown: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or breadcrumbs on top for a delightful crunch that elevates the dish's overall mouthfeel and adds gourmet flair.

Store Creamy Tomato Ricotta Pasta Creamy And Fresh

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover pasta in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. The creamy sauce might thicken, so gently reheat with a splash of milk or pasta water to restore its original texture.
• Batch Preparation Magic: Make double the recipe and freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating on the stovetop or microwave.
• Smart Ingredient Prep: Chop fresh basil and grate Parmesan cheese in advance to save time during meal preparation. Keep ingredients in sealed containers in the refrigerator for easy weeknight cooking.
• Lunch Box Champion: Pack cold pasta in meal prep containers for a delicious work or school lunch. Add a small container of extra Parmesan or fresh herbs on the side to refresh the flavors when serving.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 410 kcal

Servings: 5

What Goes Into Creamy Tomato Ricotta Pasta

• Pasta: Provides the hearty foundation for the dish, choose a shape that catches sauce well like penne or rigatoni.
• Salt: Enhances pasta flavor and helps season the boiling water.

• Olive Oil: Creates a silky base for sauce and adds richness.
• Garlic: Brings aromatic depth and classic Italian flavor profile.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Delivers vibrant, tangy sauce foundation with natural sweetness.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies overall dish flavors.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and earthy undertone.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces gentle spicy kick for complexity.
• Italian Seasoning: Contributes traditional herb blend for authentic taste.

• Ricotta Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Creates luxurious, velvety texture and provides rich, nutty undertones; select fresh, high-quality cheeses for best results.
• Fresh Basil: Offers bright, fresh garnish that elevates entire dish's visual and flavor appeal; choose vibrant green leaves without wilting.

Pasta Tools For Creamy Tomato Ricotta Pasta

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta with enough water and space.
• Skillet or Saucepan: Perfect for creating creamy tomato sauce and combining ingredients.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta after cooking.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring sauce and mixing pasta.
• Measuring Cup: Helps measure reserved pasta water accurately.
• Knife: Used for chopping fresh basil for garnish.
• Grater: Optional for freshly grating Parmesan cheese.

Steps To Cook Creamy Tomato Ricotta Pasta Smooth

• Boil Water and Cook Pasta

Grab a large pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in some salt and bring the water to a rolling boil. Drop in your pasta and cook until it’s perfectly tender yet slightly firm. Save a bit of the starchy cooking water before draining – this liquid gold will help create a silky sauce later.

• Create Zesty Tomato Base

Warm some olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Toss in minced garlic and let it dance around until it releases its aromatic magic. Pour in crushed tomatoes and sprinkle in seasonings that’ll make your taste buds sing – a pinch of salt, a dash of black pepper, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, and a generous shake of Italian herbs. Let everything simmer and mingle for about 5 minutes.

• Blend in Creamy Goodness

Turn the heat down low and introduce ricotta and Parmesan to your tomato sauce. Stir gently until everything becomes smooth and luxurious. If the sauce feels too thick, splash in some of that reserved pasta water to create a dreamy consistency.

• Marry Pasta and Sauce

Slide the cooked pasta into the skillet and toss everything together so each noodle gets a loving coating of the creamy tomato sauce. Finish with a flourish of fresh basil leaves and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan for that restaurant-quality touch.

Flavor Tips For Creamy Tomato Ricotta Pasta

• Perfect Pasta Pointers: Creamy Tomato Ricotta Style
• Ricotta Smoothness Trick: Whisk ricotta before adding to sauce to eliminate lumps and create an ultra-silky texture that coats pasta perfectly.
• Sauce Consistency Magic: Always keep reserved pasta water nearby to adjust sauce thickness, creating a glossy, clingy coating that embraces every pasta strand.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust red pepper flakes to match your heat preference – from mild whisper to bold burn, personalize your pasta's kick.
• Dietary Swap Options: Replace regular pasta with gluten-free versions for celiac-friendly meals, or use whole wheat pasta for extra nutritional boost. Swap dairy ricotta with vegan cashew ricotta for plant-based diners.
• Fresh Herb Enhancement: Experiment with different fresh herbs like oregano, thyme, or parsley to add unique flavor dimensions beyond traditional basil.

Silky Tomato Ricotta Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy tomato ricotta pasta emerges as a delightful Italian-inspired dish blending fresh ingredients with simple techniques. Pasta lovers will appreciate its rich flavors and elegant simplicity, bringing Mediterranean comfort directly to your table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti)
• 1 (14 oz/397 g) can crushed tomatoes
• ½ cup ricotta cheese
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ¼ cup pasta water (reserved from boiling pasta)
• 1 teaspoon salt (for boiling water)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
• Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring a capacious pot of salted water to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta until al dente, periodically checking texture. Reserve a portion of starchy cooking liquid before draining completely.
2. Sauce Foundation: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature. Quickly sauté minced garlic, releasing its aromatic profile without scorching. Introduce crushed tomatoes, incorporating salt, cracked pepper, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning for a robust flavor profile.
3. Sauce Development: Simmer tomato mixture, stirring intermittently to prevent burning. Allow sauce to reduce and intensify, approximately 5 minutes. Reduce heat to lowest setting.
4. Creamy Integration: Whisk ricotta and Parmesan into the simmering sauce until achieving a harmonious, velvety consistency. Adjust texture by gradually adding reserved pasta water, creating a luxurious sauce that clings effortlessly to pasta.
5. Final Assembly: Gently toss pasta directly into the sauce, ensuring each strand becomes completely enrobed in the vibrant mixture. Garnish with freshly torn basil leaves and an additional Parmesan dusting before presenting to eager diners.

Notes

• Manage Pasta Texture: Cook pasta just shy of al dente to prevent overcooking when mixed with sauce, ensuring a perfectly tender bite.
• Prevent Sauce Separation: Whisk ricotta gradually and maintain low heat to prevent cheese from curdling or becoming grainy in the sauce.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust red pepper flakes for personalized heat – start with a pinch for mild warmth or increase for a spicier kick.
• Enhance Dietary Adaptations: Swap regular pasta for gluten-free varieties, use dairy-free ricotta alternatives, or incorporate plant-based Parmesan for vegan preferences.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg