Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta
After making this Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to the most flavorful, creamy pasta that’s better than takeout. The roasted tomatoes and garlic create a rich, golden sauce that coats every strand of pasta, making this dish irresistible. Keep reading for my best tips on how to make this cozy, comforting pasta at home. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Flavorful Firecracker Hot Dogs Recipe Easy 4th of July Party Snack and Raspberry Cheesecake French Toast Casserole.
Why This Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta Is Pure Comfort
- The roasted tomatoes and garlic create an incredibly rich, flavorful sauce.
- This pasta is ready in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- The creamy ricotta adds a touch of indulgence to this comforting dish.
- This recipe is versatile – add your favorite proteins or veggies to make it a meal.
What You'll Need for Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 2 lbs cherry tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 lb pasta
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Fresh basil
- Olive oil
- Optional: Balsamic glaze
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
- Optional: Fresh basil leaves
📝 Ingredient Notes
- cherry tomatoes: You can use regular tomatoes, but cherry tomatoes roast faster and are sweeter.
- ricotta cheese: Part-skim ricotta has fewer calories and fat than regular ricotta.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Saves time and effort in mincing garlic and chopping tomatoes. → See on Amazon
- Pasta pot with strainer — Makes draining pasta a breeze and keeps your counters clean. → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta
- Roast the tomatoes and garlic: Toss tomatoes and garlic cloves with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes.
- Cook the pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Blend the sauce: Blend roasted tomatoes, garlic, and reserved pasta water until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Combine the pasta and sauce: Toss cooked pasta with tomato sauce, ricotta, and Parmesan cheese. Add pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency.
- Serve: Serve hot, topped with fresh basil, balsamic glaze, and crushed red pepper flakes.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the pasta. It should be al dente for the best texture and to prevent the sauce from becoming too thick.
- Substitution tip: You can substitute heavy cream for ricotta for a richer, creamier sauce.
- Make-ahead tip: You can roast the tomatoes and garlic ahead of time. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, simply cook the pasta and combine with the sauce.
- Scaling tip: This recipe is easy to scale. Simply adjust the amount of pasta and sauce ingredients accordingly.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The roasted tomatoes and garlic can be made ahead of time. See pro tips for details.
Freezing Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta
Freezing is not recommended for this dish as the texture of the pasta may change.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Best substitution: You can substitute heavy cream for ricotta for a richer, creamier sauce.
- Make-ahead: The roasted tomatoes and garlic can be made ahead of time. See pro tips for details.
- Scaling: This recipe is easy to scale. Simply adjust the amount of pasta and sauce ingredients accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add some pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality olive oil — A good olive oil brings out the best flavors in this dish. It pays for itself vs using lower-quality oil. → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs cherry tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 lb pasta
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Fresh basil
- Olive oil
Optional Toppings
- Balsamic glaze
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Roast the tomatoes and garlic: Toss tomatoes and garlic cloves with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes.
- Cook the pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Blend the sauce: Blend roasted tomatoes, garlic, and reserved pasta water until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Combine the pasta and sauce: Toss cooked pasta with tomato sauce, ricotta, and Parmesan cheese. Add pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency.
- Serve: Serve hot, topped with fresh basil, balsamic glaze, and crushed red pepper flakes.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Best substitution: You can substitute heavy cream for ricotta for a richer, creamier sauce.
- Make-ahead: The roasted tomatoes and garlic can be made ahead of time. See pro tips for details.
- Scaling: This recipe is easy to scale. Simply adjust the amount of pasta and sauce ingredients accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add some pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freezing is not recommended for this dish as the texture of the pasta may change.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: The roasted tomatoes and garlic can be made ahead of time. See pro tips for details.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 70g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sat. Fat: 10g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta FAQs
Yes, you can roast the tomatoes and garlic ahead of time. See the make-ahead tip in the pro tips section for details.
This could be due to overcooking the pasta or not adding enough pasta water to the sauce. See the common mistake and fix tip in the pro tips section for more information.
Freezing is not recommended for this dish as the texture of the pasta may change.
While you can roast the tomatoes and garlic in the air fryer, cooking the pasta in the air fryer may not give the best results. It's best to cook the pasta according to package instructions.
Heavy cream is a good substitute for ricotta for a richer, creamier sauce. See the best substitution tip in the recipe notes section for more information.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
