Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta | Better Than Takeout
Love creamy, comforting pasta? You’ll adore this Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta. After making it dozens of times, I’ve perfected the recipe for you. The trick I discovered is roasting the tomatoes and garlic until they’re caramelized and sweet. The result is a cozy, better-than-takeout dish that’s ready in just 30 minutes. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump straight to the recipe. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy One Pot Creamy Spinach Tomato Tortellini and The Best Baked Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos.
Why This Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta | Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Perfectly balanced flavors of roasted tomatoes and garlic
- Creamy ricotta makes it extra indulgent
- Ready in just 30 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner
- Better than takeout, and way more affordable
What You'll Need for Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta | Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 8 oz pasta (like fusilli or penne)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Salt and pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Balsamic glaze
- Optional: Toasted breadcrumbs
📝 Ingredient Notes
- ricotta cheese: Part-skim ricotta works well here.
- pasta: Any shape will do, but fusilli or penne hold the sauce well.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Smooths ricotta for a creamy sauce → See on Amazon
- Pasta pot with strainer — Makes draining pasta a breeze → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta | Better Than Takeout
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss tomatoes and garlic cloves with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, until tomatoes burst and garlic is soft.
- Step 2: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Step 3: In a food processor, blend roasted tomatoes, garlic, ricotta, and 1/2 cup of pasta water until smooth. Add more water as needed for desired consistency.
- Step 4: Toss cooked pasta with tomato-ricotta sauce. Add reserved pasta water to adjust consistency. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Step 5: Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil. Add optional toppings as desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta | Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the garlic. It can turn bitter. Keep an eye on it while roasting.
- Time-saving tip: Roast extra tomatoes and garlic to use throughout the week.
- Nutrition tip: Use whole wheat pasta for added fiber and nutrients.
- Make-ahead tip: You can roast the tomatoes and garlic ahead of time. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta | Better Than Takeout
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. Cook pasta and blend sauce just before serving.
Freezing Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta | Better Than Takeout
Not recommended for this dish.
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 vegan version, use silken tofu instead of ricotta.
- Best substitution: Substitute cherry tomatoes with grape tomatoes for a smaller, sweeter flavor.
- Make-ahead: Roast tomatoes and garlic ahead of time. Cook pasta and blend sauce just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe serves 4. Double the ingredients for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add more pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
Cast iron skillet — Evenly cooks and heats pasta for a perfect dish every time → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta | Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 8 oz pasta (like fusilli or penne)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Optional Toppings
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Balsamic glaze
- Toasted breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss tomatoes and garlic cloves with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, until tomatoes burst and garlic is soft.
- Step 2: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Step 3: In a food processor, blend roasted tomatoes, garlic, ricotta, and 1/2 cup of pasta water until smooth. Add more water as needed for desired consistency.
- Step 4: Toss cooked pasta with tomato-ricotta sauce. Add reserved pasta water to adjust consistency. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Step 5: Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil. Add optional toppings as desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegan version, use silken tofu instead of ricotta.
- Best substitution: Substitute cherry tomatoes with grape tomatoes for a smaller, sweeter flavor.
- Make-ahead: Roast tomatoes and garlic ahead of time. Cook pasta and blend sauce just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe serves 4. Double the ingredients for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add more pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for this dish.
- 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. Cook pasta and blend sauce just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 60g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 55mg
- Sat. Fat: 9g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta | Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, you can roast the tomatoes and garlic ahead of time. Cook pasta and blend sauce just before serving.
You may have used too much pasta water or overcooked the pasta. Try using less water and keeping an eye on the cooking time.
While you can freeze the roasted tomatoes and garlic, the pasta itself doesn't freeze well. It can become mushy upon thawing.
While you can roast the tomatoes and garlic in the air fryer, cooking the pasta in an air fryer can be tricky. It's best to stick to the stovetop for this recipe.
For a vegan version, use silken tofu. For a dairy-free version, use cashew cream or almond milk yogurt.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta | Better Than Takeout 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!
