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Fresh Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta Recipe Easy Homemade with Whipped Ricotta and Basil

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A quick and easy summer pasta dish featuring juicy cherry tomatoes gently burst in a skillet, served over al dente spaghetti with a luscious bed of whipped ricotta and fresh basil.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (300 grams) cherry tomatoes, preferably a mix of red and yellow
  • 1 cup (250 grams) whole milk ricotta cheese
  • A handful (about 15 grams) fresh basil leaves, torn
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti or linguine
  • Zest of 1 lemon (optional but recommended)
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ¼ cup (20 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to about 4 liters (16 cups) of water.
  2. Place the ricotta in a medium bowl and whip with a whisk or hand mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until smooth and fluffy. Set aside.
  3. Rinse and halve the cherry tomatoes, keeping them mostly intact.
  4. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, avoiding browning.
  5. Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally and gently pressing some tomatoes to release juices without turning into sauce.
  6. Add pasta to boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  7. Reserve ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta water before draining the pasta.
  8. Drain pasta and add it directly to the skillet with tomatoes. Toss gently to combine, adding reserved pasta water gradually until sauce is silky, about 1-2 minutes.
  9. Remove from heat and stir in fresh basil leaves. Season with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes if using, and lemon zest.
  10. To serve, spread a generous spoonful of whipped ricotta on each plate, pile the pasta and tomato mixture on top, and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

If ricotta is too thick to spread, add a teaspoon or two of olive oil or a splash of milk to loosen it. Use gentle heat to cook tomatoes to preserve their texture and fresh flavor. Reserve pasta water to help sauce cling to noodles. Fresh basil should be added last to preserve aroma and color.

Nutrition

Keywords: cherry tomato pasta, whipped ricotta, basil pasta, summer pasta recipe, easy pasta dish, fresh tomato pasta

Find it online: https://cravemila.com/fresh-burst-cherry-tomato-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-with-whipped-ricotta-and-basil/