Description
A rich and comforting Italian-inspired pasta dish featuring creamy ricotta, sweet tomatoes, and aromatic herbs—perfect for a cozy meal in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces pasta (penne, fusilli, or your choice)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes (or 2 cups fresh roasted tomatoes)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (or fresh basil and oregano)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Boil salted water in a large pot. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add diced tomatoes with juices. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat and stir in ricotta cheese until creamy. Add Parmesan cheese and Italian herbs. Thin sauce with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil and more Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Add sautéed vegetables like spinach or zucchini for more nutrition. For a protein boost, mix in grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas. Spice it up with red pepper flakes or a splash of balsamic vinegar for depth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 35mg