Tomato Ricotta Pasta is a simple yet delightful dish that blends the rich creaminess of ricotta cheese with the tangy sweetness of a tomato-based sauce. This hearty meal is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something comforting yet quick to prepare. The rigatoni pasta is the ideal choice for soaking up the flavorful sauce, while fresh basil and Parmesan cheese bring depth and freshness to the dish. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or your family, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your meal rotation.
Ingredients
- 300 g rigatoni pasta
- 500 g passata (tomato sauce)
- 250 g ricotta cheese
- ½ cup onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese, grated (or as needed)
- Fresh basil (to taste)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the extra virgin olive oil and heat until hot. Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for 1 minute or until fragrant.
- Cook the Tomato Sauce: Stir in the passata (tomato sauce), Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper into the sautéed onions and garlic. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent it from burning. The sauce should thicken slightly, and the raw tomato flavor will mellow out.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni pasta until al dente, according to the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Combine the Cheese and Basil: Once the tomato sauce has reduced and no longer tastes raw, add the grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil (tear the leaves as you add them). Stir to combine and let the basil infuse into the sauce for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the Ricotta: Add the ricotta cheese to the tomato sauce, breaking it up with a spoon. Stir until the ricotta is fully incorporated into the sauce, creating a creamy consistency.
- Mix in the Pasta: Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet with the sauce. Toss or stir the pasta until it is well coated with the sauce. If the sauce becomes too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water to thin it out to your desired consistency.
- Serve: Once the pasta is well combined with the sauce, remove from heat. Serve immediately with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a garnish of fresh basil. Enjoy!
Cooking Tips
- Al Dente Pasta: Always cook pasta until al dente (firm to the bite) to ensure it holds up when mixed with the sauce. It will also continue cooking slightly when combined with the sauce.
- Reserve Pasta Water: The starchy pasta water is a great addition to adjust the sauce consistency without diluting its flavor.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh basil elevates the flavor of the sauce, adding a bright, fresh note. Don’t substitute dried basil unless absolutely necessary.
- Ricotta Quality: Choose a high-quality ricotta for the best flavor and creaminess. Full-fat ricotta works best for a rich texture.
Nutritional Benefits
- Ricotta Cheese: A great source of calcium and protein, ricotta adds creaminess without the heaviness of other cheeses.
- Tomatoes: Packed with antioxidants like lycopene, tomatoes are known for their heart-healthy benefits and are rich in vitamin C.
- Olive Oil: A healthy fat, extra virgin olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health.
- Pasta: Provides a good source of carbohydrates for energy, especially when paired with a balanced sauce that includes healthy fats and protein.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: With minimal preparation and cooking time, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Creamy and Comforting: The combination of ricotta and Parmesan cheese creates a velvety sauce that clings perfectly to the rigatoni pasta.
- Fresh and Flavorful: The use of fresh basil, garlic, and a high-quality tomato sauce ensures the dish is bursting with flavor.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust the recipe to your taste by adding more vegetables, like spinach or mushrooms, or swapping rigatoni for another type of pasta.
Dietary Information
- Vegetarian-Friendly: This dish is free from meat products, making it a great option for vegetarians.
- Rich in Protein and Calcium: Ricotta and Parmesan cheeses contribute a healthy amount of protein and calcium, making this meal nutritious as well as delicious.
- Contains Dairy: This recipe is not suitable for those with lactose intolerance due to the inclusion of ricotta and Parmesan.
- Gluten: The recipe uses wheat-based pasta, but you can substitute with gluten-free pasta if needed.
Why This Recipe Works
- Balanced Flavors: The ricotta cheese mellows the acidity of the tomato sauce, creating a harmonious balance of tangy, creamy, and savory flavors.
- Rich in Texture: The combination of grated Parmesan and ricotta ensures the sauce is creamy yet light, while the rigatoni’s ridges hold onto the sauce beautifully.
- Simple Ingredients: Using staple pantry items like pasta, passata, ricotta, and basic seasonings, this recipe comes together with minimal fuss, making it both cost-effective and delicious.
Conclusion
This Tomato Ricotta Pasta recipe is an easy, flavorful meal that’s sure to become a regular favorite. Its creamy tomato sauce, infused with fresh basil and Parmesan, is both hearty and satisfying, while the rigatoni provides the perfect base for soaking up all that delicious sauce. Whether you’re serving it for a family dinner or a casual meal with friends, this recipe is guaranteed to please. Serve it with a fresh salad and some garlic bread for a complete meal that’s full of comfort and taste.
Enjoy your meal, and happy cooking!
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Tomato Ricotta Pasta Recipe
- Total Time: 30mins
Description
Tomato Ricotta Pasta is a simple yet delightful dish that blends the rich creaminess of ricotta cheese with the tangy sweetness of a tomato-based sauce. This hearty meal is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something comforting yet quick to prepare. The rigatoni pasta is the ideal choice for soaking up the flavorful sauce, while fresh basil and Parmesan cheese bring depth and freshness to the dish. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or your family, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your meal rotation.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 300 g rigatoni pasta
- 500 g passata (tomato sauce)
- 250 g ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (or as needed)
- Fresh basil (to taste)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the extra virgin olive oil and heat until hot. Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for 1 minute or until fragrant.
- Cook the Tomato Sauce: Stir in the passata (tomato sauce), Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper into the sautéed onions and garlic. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent it from burning. The sauce should thicken slightly, and the raw tomato flavor will mellow out.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni pasta until al dente, according to the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Combine the Cheese and Basil: Once the tomato sauce has reduced and no longer tastes raw, add the grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil (tear the leaves as you add them). Stir to combine and let the basil infuse into the sauce for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the Ricotta: Add the ricotta cheese to the tomato sauce, breaking it up with a spoon. Stir until the ricotta is fully incorporated into the sauce, creating a creamy consistency.
- Mix in the Pasta: Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet with the sauce. Toss or stir the pasta until it is well coated with the sauce. If the sauce becomes too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water to thin it out to your desired consistency.
- Serve: Once the pasta is well combined with the sauce, remove from heat. Serve immediately with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a garnish of fresh basil. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10mins
- Cook Time: 20mins