Description
This Tomato Basil Pasta with Light Ricotta Cream Sauce is the kind of comforting, fresh-flavored dish that makes weeknight dinners feel just a little more special. Creamy ricotta blends with sweet tomatoes and fresh basil for a light yet luscious sauce that hugs every strand of pasta. It’s simple, satisfying, and oh-so-delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces of your preferred pasta (such as spaghetti)
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can of diced tomatoes (14 ounces)
- 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup of freshly chopped basil
- Salt and pepper for seasoning
- Optional: Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes, just until fragrant.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juices and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add the ricotta cheese and stir until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Use reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce to your liking.
- Toss the cooked pasta directly into the skillet, coating it thoroughly with the sauce. Stir in fresh basil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot with a sprinkle of Parmesan, if desired. Enjoy every creamy, herby bite!
Notes
- For extra depth, add a pinch of red pepper flakes while simmering the tomatoes.
- Whole wheat or gluten-free pasta works great in this recipe too.
- Ricotta can be swapped with cottage cheese for a lighter texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: tomato basil pasta, ricotta cream pasta, vegetarian pasta, easy weeknight pasta