Description
Roasted tomato ricotta pasta emerges as a luxurious Italian-inspired culinary adventure, blending rich flavors and textures. Crispy prosciutto crowns this elegant dish, promising a delightful balance of creamy comfort and savory crunch you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 400 grams fusilli or penne pasta
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 100 grams prosciutto, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Finishing Ingredients:
- Extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the oven to a scorching 400°F (200°C), creating an ideal roasting environment for transforming delicate cherry tomatoes into caramelized flavor bombs.
- Generously coat the tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then arrange them on a baking sheet. Roast for 15-20 minutes until they burst and develop a rich, concentrated sweetness.
- Simultaneously, lay prosciutto slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until they transform into crisp, golden fragments that will provide a dramatic textural contrast.
- Cook pasta in heavily salted boiling water until it reaches the perfect al dente texture. Carefully preserve a cup of starchy pasta water, which will become crucial for creating a silky sauce.
- In a spacious skillet, warm a drizzle of olive oil and introduce minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the kitchen.
- Reduce heat and gently fold ricotta into the skillet, creating a luxurious base. Incorporate the roasted tomatoes and a splash of reserved pasta water to achieve a velvety, cohesive sauce.
- Introduce the cooked pasta to the skillet, ensuring each strand becomes lavishly coated with the creamy mixture. Adjust consistency with additional pasta water if needed.
- Finish the dish by folding in freshly grated Parmesan, fragrant basil leaves, and seasoning with salt and pepper to elevate the flavors.
- Garnish with the crispy prosciutto shards just before serving, adding a delightful crunch and salty punch to the creamy pasta.
Notes
- Roast tomatoes until slightly charred and burst for deeper, sweeter flavor that intensifies the sauce’s richness.
- Use high-quality ricotta for maximum creaminess; room temperature ricotta blends more smoothly into the sauce.
- Crisp prosciutto adds incredible textural contrast and salty punch, transforming an ordinary pasta into a gourmet experience.
- For vegetarian version, swap prosciutto with toasted pine nuts or crispy breadcrumbs to maintain crunch and add nutty dimension.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg