Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta
Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta is a cozy, comforting dinner that’s better than takeout and ready in just 30 minutes. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to the best roasted tomatoes is high heat and a little sugar. This recipe uses just 7 ingredients and creates a rich, flavorful sauce that coats every strand of pasta. Start by roasting the tomatoes and garlic, then toss them with hot pasta and creamy ricotta for a quick, easy meal. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Oatmeal Molasses Rolls and Hash Brown Avocado Toast.
Why This Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta Is Pure Comfort
- Bursting with rich, roasted tomato flavor
- Creamy, indulgent ricotta sauce
- Better than takeout and ready in 30 minutes
- Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping
What You'll Need for Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 2 lbs cherry tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 lb pasta
- 1 cup ricotta
- 1 tsp sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Optional: Fresh basil
- Optional: Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Cherry tomatoes: Any variety works, but smaller ones roast faster.
- Garlic: Use more if you love garlic.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Makes quick work of mincing garlic and chopping tomatoes. → See on Amazon
- Pasta pot — Keeps pasta from sticking and makes draining easy. → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta
- Roast the tomatoes: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss tomatoes and garlic with olive oil, salt, pepper, and sugar. Roast for 25-30 minutes, shaking pan halfway.
- Cook the pasta: While tomatoes roast, cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Blend the tomatoes: Transfer roasted tomatoes and garlic to a food processor. Blend until smooth, adding some pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Toss with ricotta: Toss hot pasta with tomato sauce, ricotta, and more pasta water if needed. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Serve: Serve immediately, topped with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the tomatoes. They should still be slightly firm and not mushy.
- Pro tip: Use a food processor to blend the tomatoes for a smooth sauce.
- Pro tip: Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Roast the tomatoes and blend the sauce up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge and reheat with cooked pasta.
Freezing Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Use a mix of tomato varieties for the best flavor.
- Best substitution: Substitute cherry tomatoes with grape tomatoes.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with more pasta water.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality olive oil — Makes a big difference in the flavor of your roasted tomatoes. → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs cherry tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 lb pasta
- 1 cup ricotta
- 1 tsp sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
Seasonings
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Fresh basil
- Parmesan cheese
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Roast the tomatoes: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss tomatoes and garlic with olive oil, salt, pepper, and sugar. Roast for 25-30 minutes, shaking pan halfway.
- Cook the pasta: While tomatoes roast, cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Blend the tomatoes: Transfer roasted tomatoes and garlic to a food processor. Blend until smooth, adding some pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Toss with ricotta: Toss hot pasta with tomato sauce, ricotta, and more pasta water if needed. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Serve: Serve immediately, topped with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: Use a mix of tomato varieties for the best flavor.
- Best substitution: Substitute cherry tomatoes with grape tomatoes.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with more pasta water.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway.
- Make ahead: Roast the tomatoes and blend the sauce up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge and reheat with cooked pasta.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 550
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 85g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sat. Fat: 8g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta FAQs
Yes, see storage notes for make-ahead tips.
You may have overcooked the tomatoes or not added enough pasta water to the sauce. Next time, keep an eye on the tomatoes and add more pasta water if needed.
No, roasting the tomatoes in the air fryer doesn't yield the same results as the oven.
Cottage cheese or sour cream can be used as a substitute for ricotta.
Yes, see storage notes for freezing instructions.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Ricotta Pasta and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
