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Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta

This comforting and creamy pasta dish features roasted tomatoes and garlic, creating a flavorful sauce that's perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the sauce
  • 450 g ripe medium vine tomatoes, halved
  • 1 small whole garlic head (or 4 large garlic cloves, unpeeled)
  • 30 ml olive oil
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper
  • 120 g ricotta cheese Can substitute with cream cheese or mascarpone
  • 1/2 tsp chilli flakes (optional) For a spicy kick
  • a handful fresh basil leaves
For the pasta
  • 225 g pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or your preferred type)
  • 240 ml pasta cooking water (reserved for consistency)
  • to taste Grated parmesan cheese for serving
  • fresh basil leaves for serving

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
  2. Arrange the halved tomatoes on a baking dish. Cut the top off the garlic head to expose the cloves and nestle it next to the tomatoes.
  3. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  4. Roast in the oven for about 20 minutes until the tomatoes are blistered and the garlic is soft. For deeper flavor, cover with foil and roast for another 10 minutes.
  5. Cook your pasta al dente in heavily salted water according to package instructions. Make sure to reserve about 240ml (1 cup) of pasta cooking water before draining.
Sauce Preparation
  1. Blend the roasted tomatoes and squeezed garlic with a handful of fresh basil and the optional chilli flakes.
  2. Add the ricotta and about 60ml (1/4 cup) of the reserved pasta cooking water. Blend until smooth.
Combining
  1. Combine the blended sauce with the cooked pasta in a large skillet.
  2. Toss until the pasta is coated, adding more reserved pasta water if needed to reach your desired consistency.
  3. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Serving
  1. Serve the pasta warm, garnished with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of grated parmesan.
  2. Enjoy every bite!

Notes

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of reserved pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce if needed. Don't skip the roasting process as it's crucial for enhancing flavor.