Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta
This Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta is the ultimate cozy, winter-perfect dish that’s better than takeout and ready in just 30 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting that perfect, creamy texture is all in the roasting. Start by tossing halved cherry tomatoes and garlic cloves in olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast until they’re soft and caramelized. Toss them with cooked pasta, ricotta, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a quick, easy dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it with a Classic Cucumber Feta Salad Recipe Easy Perfect Potluck Side Dish for a complete meal. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Classic Cucumber Feta Salad Recipe Easy Perfect Potluck Side Dish and Strawberry Shortcake Muffins Recipe Easy 5-Minute Quick Snack Idea.
Why This Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta Is Pure Comfort
- The roasted tomatoes and garlic create an intense, rich flavor
- It's creamy and comforting, perfect for chilly winter nights
- This recipe is easy to customize with your favorite pasta and cheese
- It's ready in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights
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.
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- 8 oz (225g) pasta (like penne or fusilli)
- 1 cup (240g) ricotta cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- ricotta cheese: You can substitute with mascarpone or cottage cheese if needed.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Good quality olive oil — Enhances the flavor of the roasted tomatoes and garlic → See on Amazon
- High-quality ricotta cheese — Makes the dish extra creamy and delicious → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta
- Roast the tomatoes and garlic: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the halved cherry tomatoes and smashed garlic cloves in 1 tbsp of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, until soft and caramelized.
- Cook the pasta: While the tomatoes are roasting, cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Combine the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, roasted tomatoes and garlic, ricotta, remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil, and red pepper flakes. Toss until well combined.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with fresh basil. Add grated Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
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. Overcooking can make the dish mushy.
- Tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the Parmesan cheese or use a vegan substitute.
- Tip: You can make this dish ahead of time and reheat it in the oven or microwave. The texture might be slightly different, but it will still be delicious.
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: You can roast the tomatoes and garlic ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. Combine with the cooked pasta and ricotta just before serving.
Freezing Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta
This dish does not freeze well due to the ricotta cheese.
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: The key to this dish is the roasted tomatoes and garlic. Don't skip this step.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the ricotta with mascarpone or cottage cheese if needed.
- Make-ahead: You can roast the tomatoes and garlic ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. Combine with the cooked pasta and ricotta just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If your pasta is too dry, add a little bit of pasta water or olive oil to help it combine better with the ricotta.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality pasta — Ensures your pasta cooks evenly and has the perfect texture → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- 8 oz (225g) pasta (like penne or fusilli)
- 1 cup (240g) ricotta cheese
Seasonings
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Optional Toppings
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Roast the tomatoes and garlic: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the halved cherry tomatoes and smashed garlic cloves in 1 tbsp of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, until soft and caramelized.
- Cook the pasta: While the tomatoes are roasting, cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Combine the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, roasted tomatoes and garlic, ricotta, remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil, and red pepper flakes. Toss until well combined.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with fresh basil. Add grated Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: The key to this dish is the roasted tomatoes and garlic. Don't skip this step.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the ricotta with mascarpone or cottage cheese if needed.
- Make-ahead: You can roast the tomatoes and garlic ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. Combine with the cooked pasta and ricotta just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If your pasta is too dry, add a little bit of pasta water or olive oil to help it combine better with the ricotta.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: This dish does not freeze well due to the ricotta cheese.
- 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 2 days. Combine with the cooked pasta and ricotta just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sat. Fat: 5g
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 and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. Combine with the cooked pasta and ricotta just before serving.
If your pasta is too dry, add a little bit of pasta water or olive oil to help it combine better with the ricotta.
This dish does not freeze well due to the ricotta cheese. It's best to enjoy it fresh.
While you can't roast the tomatoes and garlic in the air fryer, you can cook the pasta in it. Just make sure to cook it according to the package instructions and not to overcook it.
You can substitute the ricotta with mascarpone or cottage cheese if needed.
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!
