Description
A delightful dish with rich flavors, creamy ricotta, and tender pasta in a vibrant tomato sauce, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340g) pasta (such as penne, spaghetti, or your favorite variety)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large shallot, finely chopped
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, reserve 1 cup of pasta water, drain the rest, and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped shallot, sautéing until fragrant and softened, about 2-3 minutes.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir in oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if desired), salt, and black pepper. Let simmer for 10 minutes over low heat, stirring occasionally to develop flavors.
- Prepare the Creamy Mixture: In a separate bowl, mix ricotta cheese with heavy cream until smooth.
- Combine and Serve: Stir the ricotta mixture into the tomato sauce, adjusting seasoning as needed. If the sauce is too thick, use reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, toss to coat, and finish with freshly grated Parmesan. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil and extra Parmesan.
Notes
Use high-quality crushed tomatoes for best flavor. Experiment with seasonings according to availability.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg