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Tomato Ricotta Pasta

Author:

Vincenzo Prosperi

Updated:

21st Apr, 2025

50 Comments

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How to Make Tomato Ricotta Pasta 

The simplicity of this Tomato Ricotta Pasta dish belies the rich, complex flavors it delivers. With just a few simple ingredients – passata, basil, and fresh ricotta – you can create a creamy, luscious sauce that will leave your taste buds tingling. The ricotta adds a depth and creaminess to the dish that is simply addictive. And the best part?

This dish is so easy to make that you can whip it up at any time of day, whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a crowd. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a satisfying dinner, this dish is the perfect choice. So go ahead and indulge – your taste buds will thank you!

Watch the Tomato Ricotta Pasta video recipe:

How to Make Tomato Ricotta Pasta Like an Italian

pasta with ricotta sauce

Vincenzo’s Top Tips To Make Tomato Ricotta Pasta 

AS MUCH as you like

You can use grated parmigiano regiano as much as you’d like for this recipe

Creamy and Smooth

Keep adding small amount of pasta water slowly and mixing until the cheese mixture is creamy and smooth – but not runny!

Mix and Toss!

Toss and mix the ingredients to create more beautiful flavors together! Don’t forget to top off some more freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese!

tomato and ricotta pasta

Tomato Ricotta Pasta

Print Recipe
4.87 from 15 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
Total Time: 25 minutes mins
Servings: 4

Equipment

  • Large pan
  • wooden spoon
  • large pot for boiling pasta
  • Large mixing bowl
  • fork
  • Cheese grater Optional
  • Colander

Ingredients

  • 300 grams Short pasta, 10oz
  • ½ Onion , Chopped into small pieces
  • 1 bunch Fresh basil
  • 1 bottle Passata, Or Fresh tomato sauce
  • 250 grams Ricotta cheese, 8oz
  • Parmigiano reggiano, As much or as little as you like!
  • 3 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil, EVOO
  • Salt & pepper, As much or as little as you like!
  • 1 tbsp Rock salt, For pasta water
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Instructions

  • Tomato ricotta pasta starts out simple with three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large pan over medium-low/medium heat.
  • Then it's time to add the chopped onions.
  • Cook the onions until they turn a nice golden-brown color, about 10 minutes. Stir constantly.
  • While the onion is cooking, add 4-5L of water to a large pot and leave to boil.
  • Now, it’s time to add the delicious passata into the pan, stir, and cook for approx 15-20 minutes on very low heat.
  • Once the sauce is nice and thick, add salt, a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper, and basil leaves then leave to cook for 2-3 more minutes and remove it from the cooktop.
  • Once the water has started to boil stir in one tablespoon of rock salt. Then add the pasta, and cook for the recommended time on the box. (Mine says it will take about 12 minutes)
  • Add 250g of creamy ricotta to a mixing bowl and break it down using a fork.
  • Grate the parmigiano regiano freshly into the ricotta. You can use as much as you’d like for this tomato ricotta pasta!
  • Add a small amount of pasta water to the ricotta, and mix. Keep adding the pasta water slowly and mixing until the cheese mixture is creamy and smooth – but not runny!
  • Put the sauce back on the stove, add the ricotta mixture, and then mix until you have a beautiful pink tomato ricotta pasta sauce.
  • Collect an extra cup of pasta water then strain your pasta before adding it to the pasta sauce and if it is too thick, add some of the pasta water to help thin it out. If not, leave it as it is.
  • Toss the tomato ricotta pasta to mix the beautiful flavors together. Add some more freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese to the top; I did of course!
  • E ora si mangia, Vincenzo’s Plate….Enjoy!

Video

Author: Vincenzo’s Plate

 

How to Serve Tomato Ricotta Pasta

Add the delicious pasta to a plate, spooning in as much as you’d like. Top it with a fresh basil leaf, and you’re ready to dig in. 

If you add some extra parmigiano reggiano to the top, we won’t judge — and if you have any extra ricotta, you can even add this to the top nice and cold for something different but delicious! 

 

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Recipe Rating




50 responses

  1. Steve
    June 10, 2026

    Your recipe says “a bottle of Passata”. What size bottle please? Mutti do 500g and 700g.

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      June 10, 2026

      Ciao Steve! For this recipe, I used a 750ml bottle of passata. 😊

      If you are choosing between the Mutti 500g and 700g bottles, I would go with the 700g one as it is much closer to the amount used in the recipe.

      I hope this helps, and let me know how your Tomato Ricotta Pasta turns out! Buon appetito!

      Reply
      1. Steve
        June 11, 2026

        Thank you for that. Doing it tonight for only two, but such is life, I’ll just have to manage it 🙂

        Reply
        1. Vincenzo’s Plate
          June 11, 2026

          I hope you enjoy it. Grazie for trusting my recipe! 🍝

          Reply
      2. Steve
        June 11, 2026

        5 stars
        Well, that was heavenly (for a first attempt):) I think I used a little too much Oil in the onions. The Ricotta I used from a tub was already smooth and creamy so I only needed a tiny drop of pasta water. Delicious. The (small) amount leftover will be served with a well seasoned chicken/ tomato salad tonight:)

        Reply
        1. Vincenzo’s Plate
          June 11, 2026

          Ciao Steve! I’m so happy you enjoyed it! 😊

          It sounds like the ricotta you used was already nice and creamy, so you did exactly the right thing by adding only a little pasta water.

          The leftover sauce with chicken and tomato salad sounds delicious too. Nothing better than enjoying it twice!

          Grazie mille for giving the recipe a try.

          Reply
  2. Diane
    June 18, 2026

    5 stars
    Had this pasta in an Italian restaurant last week in NYC and was excited to find your recipe. Made it last night – so delicious! My mom’s sicilian and I remember her making something just like this in the 1970’s. Yummy! Thank you!!!

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      June 18, 2026

      Ciao Diane! I love hearing stories like this. ❤️
      I’m also glad you found the recipe after enjoying it in New York!
      Grazie mille for giving it a try, and I hope it brings back many more delicious memories for years to come.

      Reply
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