Creamy Tomato Ricotta Pasta: A Simple and Satisfying Midday Meal
Creamy Tomato Ricotta Pasta is a quick, comforting dish that blends the richness of ricotta cheese with the bright acidity of tomatoes. It’s perfect for busy weekdays, yet satisfying enough to serve to guests. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers customizable options, affordability, and classic flavor in every bite.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 250g pasta (spaghetti, penne, fusilli, or your preferred shape)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ¾ cup ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes. Add oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5–7 minutes over medium heat.
- Reduce heat to low. Add ricotta cheese to the tomato mixture and stir gently until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Add more pasta water gradually if the sauce is too thick.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan and fresh basil if desired.
Notes
For extra creaminess, add a spoonful of reserved pasta water while mixing.
To increase the nutritional value, stir in spinach or sautéed mushrooms before adding the pasta.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and reheated with a splash of milk or water.
This dish is naturally vegetarian and can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta.