Description
This cozy pasta features roasted cherry tomatoes and mellow garlic blended into a creamy ricotta sauce that hugs every noodle. Perfect for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner or a special night in, it’s easy, impressive, and portioned for two.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes (about 10 oz)
- 1 small head garlic (about 8 cloves)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 6 oz fusilli pasta (or penne, rigatoni, spaghetti, or gluten-free pasta)
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese (full-fat preferred)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (zest of half a lemon)
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)
- Red pepper flakes, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Place cherry tomatoes on a sheet pan. Slice the top off the garlic head to expose the cloves, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and wrap in foil. Add the garlic packet to the pan with the tomatoes. Drizzle tomatoes with remaining oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss.
- Roast for 25 minutes, until tomatoes are blistered and juicy and garlic is soft.
- While tomatoes and garlic roast, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, according to package directions (usually 8–10 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Squeeze roasted garlic cloves out of skins into a bowl. Add ricotta, half the roasted tomatoes, Parmesan, lemon zest, and about 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Blend in a food processor or with an immersion blender until creamy, or mash well with a fork.
- Return pasta to the pot or a serving bowl. Pour ricotta sauce over noodles and add remaining roasted tomatoes. Toss gently to coat, adding more pasta water as needed for a silky texture. Scatter in fresh basil or parsley if desired.
- Divide between two plates. Garnish with extra Parmesan, red pepper flakes, and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve immediately.
Notes
Reserve pasta water for a silky sauce. Use full-fat ricotta for best texture. Blend sauce for creaminess, or mash for a rustic version. Add fresh herbs, spinach, or protein for variations. Serve immediately for creamiest texture; sauce thickens as it sits.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (half the re
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 54
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 17
Keywords: Valentine's Day, pasta, ricotta, roasted tomatoes, garlic, date night, easy dinner, vegetarian, Italian, creamy sauce