Pasta with Ricotta and Tomato Sauce: A Sicilian Dream
Craving a creamy and delicious pasta with ricotta and tomato sauce? This Sicilian classic is super easy to make. It comes together in just 30 minutes! You can customize it to your liking with different herbs, cheeses, and toppings. Plus, it’s a vegetarian-friendly meal the whole family will love.
Nutritional Values
This pasta with ricotta and tomato sauce recipe serves four people. Each serving has about 240 calories, 51 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, and 55 grams of fat. This recipe is vegetarian but not vegan or gluten-free.
Pasta with Ricotta and Tomato Sauce Ingredients
You only need a handful of simple ingredients for this tasty dish:
- 13 ounces of your favorite pasta
- 1.7 cups of tomato sauce
- 10.5 ounces of ricotta
- 1.75 ounces of grated aged caciocavallo cheese
- 2 garlic cloves
- Basil
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Let’s Make Pasta with Ricotta and Tomato Sauce!
First, get a large pot of salted water boiling. Add the pasta and cook according to the directions on the box.
While the pasta cooks, heat some olive oil in a skillet. Then, sauté the garlic cloves until fragrant. Pour in the tomato sauce, salt, pepper, and 2-3 basil leaves. Simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes over medium heat.
Now it’s time to prepare the ricotta mixture. Place the ricotta in a bowl. Add a ladleful of pasta water and mash the ricotta with a spoon until smooth. Pour the ricotta mixture into the tomato sauce and stir well to combine. Add a little more pasta water if the sauce seems too thick.
Once the pasta is al dente, drain it. Then, add it to the skillet with the sauce. Stir in the grated caciocavallo cheese and toss everything for a minute. This ensures the pasta is well coated in sauce.
Garnish with a fresh basil leaf for a touch of freshness and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Take Your Pasta with Ricotta and Tomato Sauce to the Next Level
This recipe is great as is, but you can also easily customize it. For example, you can add different herbs, like parsley or oregano, for a more complex flavor. Or, add some black olives or capers for a Mediterranean twist.
Storing and Reheating Your Pasta
You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. The pasta might absorb some of the sauce. So you might need to add a little water or ricotta before reheating it.
To reheat the pasta, you can use a small pot with a little water or a microwave. Cover it to prevent it from drying out. Stir it well while reheating and add some grated caciocavallo cheese or ricotta if needed.
Ricotta: A Sicilian Staple
Let’s add some background information about ricotta to enhance the recipe! Ricotta cheese is a beloved ingredient in Sicilian cuisine. Its creamy texture and mild flavor make it a versatile ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes.
You’ll find ricotta in everything from classic pasta dishes like this one to delectable desserts like cannoli. The recipe truly showcases the essence of Sicilian cooking, blending fresh, simple ingredients into a harmonious and satisfying meal.
