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Creamy Tomato Ricotta Pasta

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A quick and easy creamy tomato ricotta pasta recipe that delivers comforting, luscious flavor perfect for cozy family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes, preferably whole peeled
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese (about 250 g)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 50 g)
  • A handful fresh basil, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup water or vegetable broth (60 ml) to loosen sauce if needed

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of penne and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-11 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup (120 ml) of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn.
  3. Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes, breaking them up with a spoon. Simmer gently for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. If sauce is too thick, stir in 1/4 cup water or vegetable broth.
  4. Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  5. Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if needed to loosen the sauce.
  6. Remove skillet from heat. Dollop in 1 cup ricotta and sprinkle 1/2 cup Parmesan. Gently fold together until creamy and well combined.
  7. Stir in chopped fresh basil.
  8. Serve immediately, optionally topped with extra Parmesan and basil.

Notes

Add ricotta off the heat to prevent curdling. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce as needed. Use whole milk ricotta for best creaminess. For vegan option, substitute ricotta with cashew-based cream cheese and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of water or broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy tomato ricotta pasta, easy pasta recipe, family dinner, cozy dinner, quick pasta, vegetarian pasta

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