Tomato-Basil Pasta with Ricotta
A vibrant pasta dish with sun-ripened tomatoes, fresh basil, and creamy ricotta for a balanced Mediterranean flavor. This mediterranean-inspired mediterranean (mediterranean) ready in about 45 minutes pairs (spaghetti or penne) pasta, medium (chopped) tomatoes, (minced) garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz (spaghetti or penne) pasta
- 4 medium (chopped) tomatoes
- 3 cloves (minced) garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup (fresh, chopped) basil
- 1 cup (fresh) ricotta
- 1/4 cup (grated) parmesan
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic until fragrant, then add tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.
- Step 3: Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes break down into a chunky sauce.
- Step 4: In a bowl, mix ricotta, parmesan, basil, salt, and pepper. Fold into the pasta and tomato sauce. Serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tomato-Basil Pasta with Ricotta take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (25 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Tomato-Basil Pasta with Ricotta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (spaghetti or penne) pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Tomato-Basil Pasta with Ricotta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Tomato-Basil Pasta with Ricotta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Tomato-Basil Pasta with Ricotta?
Mediterranean mediterranean like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to mediterranean dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
