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–+ servings
Delicious Tomato Ricotta Pasta served in a bowl with fresh herbs.

Tomato Ricotta Pasta

A creamy, comforting pasta dish featuring rigatoni tossed in a tomato-ricotta sauce, perfect for busy weeknights or cozy evenings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian, Vegetarian
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and sauce
  • 300 g rigatoni pasta (or other tubular pasta like penne)
  • 500 g passata (smooth tomato sauce) Can substitute with crushed tomatoes blended briefly.
  • 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped (yellow or sweet onion)
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated (plus extra for serving) For better melting and flavor, use freshly grated.
  • to taste Fresh basil, torn or chopped
  • to taste Salt and black pepper Salt the pasta water well.
Ricotta
  • 250 g ricotta Whole-milk gives the best creaminess; part-skim is fine.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Warm a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and let it shimmer.
  2. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, until soft and translucent.
  3. Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the passata, sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
  5. Lower the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni until al dente. Before draining, scoop out 1/2 to 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside.
Cooking
  1. After the sauce has reduced, stir in the grated parmesan and the torn basil, adjusting seasoning as needed.
  2. Add spoonfuls of ricotta to the sauce, breaking up the dollops and stirring until the sauce turns creamy.
  3. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. If the sauce feels too thick, add reserved pasta water until you reach the desired consistency.
  4. Remove from heat and serve right away, topped with extra grated parmesan and fresh basil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 20gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 600mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6g

Notes

Cool leftovers quickly and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For freezing, portion into airtight containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat on the stove. Add lemon zest for extra herb freshness if desired.

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