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  • Author: Avery
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This delightful ricotta pasta brings together the creamy richness of fresh ricotta cheese with vibrant cherry tomatoes and aromatic herbs. It’s a quick weeknight dinner that feels elegant enough for entertaining, combining simple ingredients into something truly satisfying. The sauce comes together in minutes, making this perfect for busy evenings when you want something homemade and delicious.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces pasta (your choice)
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant.
  3. Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until they start to soften.
  4. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the ricotta cheese, mixing until well combined. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  5. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the ricotta sauce. Stir in the fresh basil, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. If desired, sprinkle with red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
  6. Serve immediately, garnished with additional basil and Parmesan if desired.

Notes

For best results, use whole milk ricotta for extra creaminess. Short pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni work wonderfully as they hold the sauce well. Fresh herbs make a significant difference in flavor, so avoid dried basil if possible. The pasta water is key to achieving the perfect sauce consistency, so don’t skip reserving it.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian-inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
  • Calories: 400 kcal
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 320mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 58g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 18g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: ricotta pasta, cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, quick dinner, vegetarian pasta, creamy pasta sauce

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Find it online: https://averyrecipes.com/ricotta-pasta/