Description
A comforting and flavorful Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta recipe featuring oven-roasted cherry tomatoes blended with garlic and herbs, tossed with creamy ricotta and Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and lemon juice. This easy-to-make pasta dish combines simple ingredients for a delicious weeknight meal bursting with fresh and savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Roasted Tomatoes
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 ounces pasta (such as spaghetti or penne)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting the cherry tomatoes.
- Prepare Tomatoes: Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and arrange them on a baking sheet evenly.
- Season Tomatoes: Drizzle olive oil over the tomatoes, then sprinkle minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper evenly atop the tomatoes.
- Toss to Coat: Gently toss the tomato and garlic mixture together on the baking sheet to ensure all tomatoes are well coated with the oil and seasonings.
- Roast: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast the tomatoes for 20-25 minutes, until they are soft and slightly caramelized.
- Boil Pasta: While the tomatoes roast, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.
- Cook Pasta: Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package directions, usually 9-11 minutes, until al dente.
- Make Ricotta Sauce: In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, chopped fresh basil, and lemon juice, mixing well.
- Reserve Pasta Water: When pasta is cooked al dente, reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
- Drain Pasta: Drain the pasta in a colander and return it to the pot, keeping it warm.
- Smash Roasted Tomatoes: Remove the roasted tomatoes from the oven and gently mash them on the baking sheet with the back of a spoon to release their juices.
- Add Tomatoes to Pasta: Transfer the roasted tomatoes and their juices from the baking sheet to the pot with the pasta.
- Add Ricotta Mixture: Pour the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta and roasted tomatoes.
- Toss Together: Toss all ingredients gently until they are combined and evenly coated.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until you reach the desired creaminess.
- Season to Taste: Taste the pasta and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as preferred.
- Serve: Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with extra fresh basil or Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to help loosen the sauce and improve texture.
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor impact, but dried can be substituted if necessary.
- Feel free to swap cherry tomatoes with grape tomatoes if preferred.
- For added protein, consider adding cooked chicken or shrimp.
- Leftover pasta can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: roasted tomato pasta, ricotta pasta, garlic pasta, Italian pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta
