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 creamy, comforting pasta you’ll ever have. The rich, golden tomatoes and fragrant garlic create a cozy, hearty dish perfect for winter nights. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy New Year's Eve Appetizers and Crispy Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet.
Why This Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy without heavy cream
- Packed with fresh tomato flavor
- Garlic lovers' dream
- Easy and ready in 30 minutes
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.
- ripe tomatoes
- garlic cloves
- ricotta cheese
- pasta
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper
- red pepper flakes
- fresh basil
- Optional: grated Parmesan
- Optional: additional fresh basil
📝 Ingredient Notes
- tomatoes: Use ripe, in-season tomatoes for the best flavor.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Saves time and effort in blending the tomatoes → See on Amazon
- Pasta pot — Makes boiling pasta a breeze → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta
- Roast the tomatoes and garlic: Toss tomatoes and garlic with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes.
- Cook the pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve some pasta water.
- Blend the tomatoes: Blend roasted tomatoes, garlic, and red pepper flakes until smooth. Add some pasta water if needed.
- Combine and serve: Toss pasta with tomato sauce, ricotta, and basil. Top with grated Parmesan and additional basil if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta
- : For a smoother sauce, blend the tomatoes until completely smooth.
- Common mistake and fix: If your sauce is too thick, add more pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- : For a spicier kick, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- : To make this dish vegetarian, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
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 for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can roast the tomatoes and garlic ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
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 faster cooking time, use cherry or grape tomatoes.
- Best substitution: Substitute the ricotta with mascarpone cheese for an even creamier sauce.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the tomato and garlic mixture up to 2 days ahead and store it in the fridge.
- Scaling: This recipe easily doubles or triples for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thin, cook it on the stove for a few minutes to reduce and thicken.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality ricotta cheese — Makes a big difference in the creaminess of the dish → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- ripe tomatoes
- garlic cloves
- ricotta cheese
- pasta
Seasonings
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper
- red pepper flakes
- fresh basil
Optional Toppings
- grated Parmesan
- additional fresh basil
Instructions
- Roast the tomatoes and garlic: Toss tomatoes and garlic with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes.
- Cook the pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve some pasta water.
- Blend the tomatoes: Blend roasted tomatoes, garlic, and red pepper flakes until smooth. Add some pasta water if needed.
- Combine and serve: Toss pasta with tomato sauce, ricotta, and basil. Top with grated Parmesan and additional basil if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a faster cooking time, use cherry or grape tomatoes.
- Best substitution: Substitute the ricotta with mascarpone cheese for an even creamier sauce.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the tomato and garlic mixture up to 2 days ahead and store it in the fridge.
- Scaling: This recipe easily doubles or triples for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thin, cook it on the stove for a few minutes to reduce and thicken.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
- 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: You can roast the tomatoes and garlic ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 70g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- 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 prepare the tomato and garlic mixture ahead of time and store it in the fridge. However, I recommend cooking the pasta just before serving to prevent it from becoming mushy.
This could be due to not reserving enough pasta water or not adding it to the sauce. The starchy pasta water helps to create a creamy sauce.
While you can roast the tomatoes and garlic in the air fryer, I recommend using the oven for the best results. The air fryer can make the tomatoes and garlic dry out.
Mascarpone cheese is the best substitute for ricotta cheese in this recipe. It has a similar texture and creaminess.
Yes, this pasta is perfect for a cozy Thanksgiving dinner. It's hearty, comforting, and can be made ahead of time.
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!
