Penne with Creamy Tomato Ricotta
Penne with Creamy Tomato Ricotta
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Creamy Tomato Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, small, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, can
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
- 1/2 cup pasta water, reserved
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain the pasta.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Stir well to combine. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 10 min
- 5
Remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in the whole milk ricotta cheese and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until fully combined and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Add the drained penne pasta to the skillet with the creamy tomato sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped basil and additional grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Penne with Creamy Tomato Ricotta
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Creamy Tomato Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, small, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, can
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
- 1/2 cup pasta water, reserved
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain the pasta.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Stir well to combine. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
Remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in the whole milk ricotta cheese and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until fully combined and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Add the drained penne pasta to the skillet with the creamy tomato sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped basil and additional grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 1 min