Description
This Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta combines sweet, burst cherry tomatoes and aromatic roasted garlic with creamy ricotta and Parmesan cheese. The roasted vegetables are mixed into al dente pasta and finished with fresh basil and a hint of lemon zest for a flavorful, comforting dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 1 lb cherry or grape tomatoes
- 6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional, for a bright finish)
Cheeses
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Other
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 12 oz pasta (spaghetti, penne, or your choice)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to get it ready for roasting the tomatoes and garlic, which will bring out their natural sweetness and soften their texture.
- Roast tomatoes and garlic. On a large baking sheet, toss the cherry tomatoes and smashed garlic cloves with olive oil, salt, pepper, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes if using. Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the tomatoes have burst and the garlic is tender.
- Cook the pasta. While the tomatoes roast, prepare your pasta according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Be sure to reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining it.
- Prepare the ricotta mixture. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well and set aside for later.
- Combine pasta with roasted ingredients. Transfer the roasted tomatoes and garlic along with their juices to the pot with the drained pasta. Stir in the ricotta and Parmesan mixture, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a creamy sauce that coats the pasta evenly.
- Garnish and serve. Finish the pasta with chopped fresh basil, extra Parmesan cheese, and lemon zest if using, then serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute any short or long pasta like penne, spaghetti, or fusilli according to preference.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your heat tolerance or omit for a milder dish.
- Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps loosen the sauce and keeps it creamy.
- For a vegan version, substitute ricotta and Parmesan with plant-based alternatives.
- Adding lemon zest at the end brightens the flavor but can be omitted if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
