Tomato Ricotta Pasta Recipe (2024)

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Who says you have to wait until summer to enjoy a bowl of homemade tomato ricotta pasta? This quick and easy pasta recipe is perfect for any time of year, delicious, healthy, and super comforting.

It's packed with flavor from the tomatoes, ricotta cheese, and herbs, but it's still light enough to be enjoyed after a busy day. Serve as is, with some crusty garlic bread, a side of salad or with other protein of your choice.

Tomato Ricotta Pasta Recipe (1)

Tomato ricotta pasta recipe

This tomato ricotta pasta recipe is sure to become a family favorite. It's easy to make and takes minimal effort with maximum flavor. A creamy, flavorful, and delicious dinner that is ready in less than 30 minutes. It comes together that quickly and you only need a handful of ingredients.

The creamy ricotta with the tomato sauce pulls this dish together and you wouldn't believe it takes so little effort. Not only is this tomato ricotta pasta recipe incredibly flavorful, but it is also surprisingly healthy.

The combination of tomatoes, herbs, and ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese creates a vibrant and nutritious dish that your family will love. Plus, it's an excellent source of protein and fiber which are essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

For a more indulgent meal, you can add some cooked chicken, shrimp, or bacon to the dish for extra protein. Bulk it up with vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, asparagus, and more.

Enjoy it with this homemade garlic bread or salad, you won't be disappointed! Let's get cooking

Related recipes: spinach and ricotta pasta, tomato basil pasta, bacon tomato pasta, ricotta mashed potatoes and pink sauce pasta.

Tomato Ricotta Pasta Recipe (2)

What you will need

To make this super easy and simple tomato ricotta recipe, you will need the following handful of ingredients

Pasta: I used rigatoni, however, you can use any shaped pasta of choice, especially one that can hold on to the sauce nicely like penne pasta.

Passata: this is also known as tomato sauce.

Ricotta

Onion

Garlic

Extra virgin olive oil

Italian seasoning

Parmesan cheese

Fresh basil

Salt and black pepper to taste

How to make tomato ricotta pasta

Place a skillet on medium-high heat. Add extra virgin olive oil and heat until hot, add chopped onions and saute until soft and translucent, add chopped garlic and saute for 1 minute or until fragrant.

Stir in the passata (tomato sauce), Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper into the sauteed aromatics until combined. Reduce the heat and leave to simmer for about 10 minutes stirring at intervals so it doesn't burn.

In the meantime, cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, reserve some pasta water as you may be needing it later.

Once the tomato has slightly reduced and no longer tastes tomatoey, add grated parmesan cheese and tear in some fresh basil(to taste) then stir to combine.

Add ricotta cheese to the sauce, break it up and stir until creamy and fully combined with the tomato sauce.

Add the cooked pasta to the tomato sauce, and stir or toss to combine. Simmer for 1-2 minutes, if the sauce is becoming thick, add the reserved pasta water to lighten it up.

Tomato Ricotta Pasta Recipe (4)

Take it off the heat and serve with more freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh basil. Enjoy!

How to store and reheat

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I don't recommend freezing this pasta.

Reheat with a splash of water, milk, or broth to ensure the pasta doesn't dry up.

Tomato Ricotta Pasta Recipe (5)

Watch how to make it

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Tomato Ricotta Pasta Recipe (6)

Tomato Ricotta Pasta

Ajoke

Who says you have to wait until summer to enjoy a bowl of homemade tomato ricotta pasta? This quick and easy pasta recipe is perfect for any time of year, delicious, healthy, and super comforting. It's packed with flavor from the tomatoes, ricotta cheese, and herbs, but it's still light enough to be enjoyed after a busy day. Serve as is with some crusty garlic bread, a side of salad, or with other protein of your choice.

5 from 23 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Pasta

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 4

Calories 601 kcal

Ingredients

  • 300 g rigatoni pasta
  • 500 g passata tomato sauce.
  • 250 g ricotta
  • ½ cup onion finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves chopped
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • ¾ cup parmesan cheese grated or as needed
  • Fresh basil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Place a skillet on medium-high heat. Add extra virgin olive oil and heat until hot, add chopped onions and saute until soft and translucent, add chopped garlic and saute for 1 minute or until fragrant.

  • Stir in the passata (tomato sauce), Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper into the sauteed aromatics until combined. Reduce the heat and leave to simmer for about 10 minutes stirring at intervals so it doesn't burn.

  • In the meantime, cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, reserve some pasta water as you may be needing it later.

  • Once the tomato has slightly reduced and no longer tastes tomatoey, add grated parmesan cheese and tear in some fresh basil(to taste) then stir to combine.

  • Add ricotta cheese to the sauce, break it up and stir until creamy and fully combined with the tomato sauce.

  • Add the cooked pasta to the tomato sauce, and stir or toss to combine. Simmer for 1-2 minutes, if the sauce is becoming thick, add the reserved pasta water to lighten it up.

  • Take it off the heat and serve with more freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh basil. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 601kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 23gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 421mgPotassium: 837mgFiber: 5gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 1089IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 351mgIron: 4mg

Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circ*mstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.

Keyword ricotta pasta, tomato ricotta pasta

Tried this recipe?Mention @thedinnerbite or tag #thedinnerbite!

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So there you have it, another easy and delicious pasta recipe that the whole family will love. As always, if you made this recipe, I would love to hear from you! Kindly rate the recipe 5 star and leave me feedback in the comment section below. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save it away to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox

About Ajoke

Hello, Nice to meet you! Welcome and thanks for visiting my food blog "The Dinner Bite". Feel free to browse through, you are guaranteed nothing here but a yummy experience

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Demi says

    I made this recipe previously and it turned out so good-
    I’m planning to make it again next week, though, could i add fresh mozzarella to the top of the ricotta pasta when it’s all cooked and put it into the oven, so I could sort of have a baked mozzarella ricotta pasta???????

    Reply

    • Ajoke says

      That sound delicious, Demi. I am sure it would work. Make sure there is a little bit saucy so that it doesn't dry out when you bake it.

      Reply

  2. Jo says

    Tomato Ricotta Pasta Recipe (7)
    this is very good. i added crushed red pepper. absolutely delicious

    Reply

    • Ajoke says

      Hi Jo, thank you for your feedback. I am so glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply

  3. Dr. E says

    Tomato Ricotta Pasta Recipe (8)
    We love easy good recipes like this. Very versatile. Added spinach and mushrooms with the sauce

    Reply

  4. Sue says

    Tomato Ricotta Pasta Recipe (9)
    I made this last night and it was a hit with the family. Thanks for keeping it simple.

    Reply

    • Ajoke says

      I am happy to hear that, Sue. Thanks for the feedback and happy new year to you.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Tomato Ricotta Pasta Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Does ricotta cheese melt in a sauce? ›

No, ricotta doesn't melt. That's why it's used for layered dishes like lasagna or stuffed in ravioli or pasta shells. The proteins in the cheese aggregate during production through use of an acidic process.

Why add tomato paste to lasagna? ›

Its mild flavor works really well with the mozzarella. Tomato Sauce & Paste: An important component in lasagna. Choosing your favorite tomato sauce will guarantee that you'll love this recipe. A good tomato paste helps to thicken but also adds a sweet and savory umami flavor.

How to cook pasta with store bought tomato sauce? ›

Simply pour the sauce into a small saucepan while you're going about boiling your pasta. Let it come to a boil, then reduce the heat so that the sauce gently bubbles. Keep the simmer going for about 10 minutes or so, until you've noticed that the sauce has reduced and thickened a little, but is still saucy.

What happens if you heat ricotta? ›

In other words, the cheese doesn't melt. So ricotta falls in the same category as paneer, halloumi, queso blanco and other cheeses that can be heated without melting. This is why ricotta is such a fine choice for lasagna, stuffed shells, ravioli and cheesecake. It heats wonderfully, but doesn't reduce to a pool of goo.

Why do you add an egg to ricotta cheese? ›

For extra creamy ricotta, add in an extra egg, a handful of grated parmesan, and a quarter cup of shredded mozzarella. Eggs help prevent the ricotta from drying out and serve to bind the ricotta so it doesn't become runny. One or more eggs are recommended whether you add the other ingredients mentioned here or not.

Is it better to use tomato paste or tomato sauce? ›

Nutrition: Cup for cup, tomato paste has more of just about everything—calories, carbs, and nutrients—because it's more concentrated than tomato sauce. Yet less paste is generally used in recipes compared to sauce so nutritionally, their health benefits are comparable.

What to add to lasagna to make it taste better? ›

Spices and seasonings: This lasagna recipe is flavored with fresh parsley, dried basil leaves, salt, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and black pepper.

Is tomato sauce better than marinara for lasagna? ›

Many recipes can accommodate either marinara or tomato sauce. For example, both tomato-based sauces can be used for pasta, but the heavier, more complex tomato sauce can overpower lighter, simpler dishes, while marinara is less ideal for smothering proteins or filling out lasagnas.

How to jazz up tomato pasta sauce? ›

Tossing in strips of basil, a sprig of thyme or some oregano can take your sauce to the next level. Although fresh herbs might pop a bit more, dried herbs and spices can work just as well. Sprinkling in some red pepper flakes, a pinch of parsley and a dash of salt and pepper can liven up your jarred pasta sauce.

What does adding butter to tomato sauce do? ›

Add butter

Yes, that's right. Toss in a few tablespoons of butter, and let it melt into the sauce. If you've never tried it before, it might seem strange, but a little butter makes tomato sauce rich and smooth, and also balances out too much acidity, which is common in jarred sauces.

How do you doctor up tomato sauce for pasta? ›

How to Make Jarred Tomato Sauce Better… And If You Even Should
  1. Start With a Good Jar.
  2. Add Alliums.
  3. Deglaze With Wine.
  4. Season Smartly.
  5. Whisk in Tomato Paste.
  6. Boost the Acidity.
  7. Toss in Olives or Capers.
  8. Add Vegetables.

What cheese melts well in sauce? ›

Cheeses with more moisture and lower melting points make for mouthwatering, creamy cheese sauces. Cheddar is one of the most popular choices, but Swiss and Gruyère are also terrific options.

Why is my ricotta lumpy in the sauce? ›

Ricotta is not supposed to melt, or dissolve, or anything like that. It is made up of protein clumps. The only way it can appear very smooth is if the manufacturer created a cheese where the clumps have been made very tiny mechanically - because chemically, they are still clumps and stay that way after heating.

Does ricotta cheese melt like mozzarella? ›

No, most recipes for lasagna call for all three cheeses, mozzarella, ricotta and grated Parmesan. Ricotta doesn't melt, mozzarella does. The two cheeses are polar opposites in terms of their characteristics, though both are mild tasting.

How do you add cheese to sauce without curdling it? ›

It should be grated, not cubed. Grated cheese will melt in the sauce quickly and evenly. Cubes of cheese, on the other hand, will take longer to melt, so your sauce can overcook before the cheese has melted. It's that overcooking that can cause the sauce to curdle.

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