Easy Creamy Roasted Tomato Ricotta Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto Recipe

Summers burst with vibrant flavors, and this creamy roasted tomato ricotta pasta with crispy prosciutto recipe captures pure culinary magic.

Ripe tomatoes roast until caramelized, releasing deep, concentrated sweetness into every bite.

Crispy prosciutto adds a delightful salty crunch that perfectly complements the silky ricotta sauce.

Each twirl of pasta becomes a delectable canvas painted with rich, tangy notes and delicate herbal undertones.

The combination of roasted tomatoes and delicate cheese creates a restaurant-worthy dish you can easily prepare at home.

Salt, pepper, and fresh basil provide the final elegant touch to this simple yet sophisticated meal.

Gather your ingredients and prepare to transform an ordinary evening into an extraordinary dining experience.

Creamy Roasted Tomato Ricotta Pasta Reasons To Love

• Unbelievably Comforting Meal: A dish that wraps you in warmth with its creamy sauce and rich, roasted tomato flavors perfect for satisfying serious comfort food cravings.
• Quick Flavor-Packed Cooking: An easy recipe that transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet-style meal with minimal effort, delivering restaurant-quality results right in your kitchen.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: A flexible pasta recipe that works wonderfully for casual family dinners, date nights, or impromptu gatherings, appealing to both adults and kids with its delicious combination of crispy prosciutto and smooth ricotta sauce.
• Smart Ingredient Layering: Strategic cooking technique that builds deep, complex flavors by roasting tomatoes and herbs together, then blending them into a luxurious sauce that elevates the entire dish.

Ingredients For Roasted Tomato Ricotta Pasta

• Tomatoes: Sweet and ripe tomatoes that create a rich sauce base.
• Pasta: The core foundation of the dish that carries the creamy sauce.
• Ricotta: Soft cheese that provides a smooth and creamy texture to the sauce.
• Prosciutto: Delicate Italian cured meat that adds a crispy and salty element.

• Thyme, Rosemary: Fresh herbs that infuse the dish with aromatic Mediterranean flavors.
• Red Pepper Flakes, Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste profile.
• Basil: Fresh herb used as a fragrant garnish.

• Butter: Helps create a rich and flavorful sauce base.
• Gouda, Parmesan: Melting cheeses that add depth and complexity to the sauce.
• Olive Oil: Used for roasting tomatoes and adding a smooth coating to ingredients.

Roasted Tomato Ricotta Pasta Instructions Made Simple

Step 1: Prepare Roasting Setup

Preheat the oven to 425° F.

• Cherry tomatoes
• Olive oil
• Garlic cloves
• Fresh thyme
• Rosemary
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Prosciutto slices

Toss the tomatoes with olive oil, herbs, and seasonings.

Lay prosciutto slices on top of the seasoned tomatoes.

Step 2: Roast to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and roast for 15-20 minutes.

You’ll know it’s ready when the prosciutto turns crispy and the tomatoes start to burst with juicy goodness.

Step 3: Create Silky Tomato Sauce

Transfer two-thirds of the roasted tomatoes and garlic to a food processor.

Add ricotta cheese and blend until smooth and creamy.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 4: Cook Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.

Cook pasta until it reaches that perfect al dente texture.

Before draining, carefully scoop out a cup of pasta water – this liquid gold will help create a silky sauce later.

Step 5: Build Flavor-Packed Sauce

In the same pot, melt butter and sprinkle in some thyme.

Watch the butter brown and develop a nutty aroma.

Pour in the tomato puree and half a cup of pasta water.

Stir until everything combines beautifully.

Melt in gouda and parmesan cheeses to create a luxurious sauce.

Step 6: Combine and Coat

Add the cooked pasta and remaining roasted tomatoes to the sauce.

Toss everything together until each pasta strand is gloriously coated.

If the sauce seems too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Plate the pasta and shower it with extra parmesan cheese.

Top with crispy prosciutto pieces and fresh basil leaves.

Dig in and savor every creamy, crispy, herb-infused bite!

Pro Tips For Creamy Tomato Ricotta Pasta

• Roast cherry or heirloom tomatoes for deeper, sweeter caramelized notes that intensify the sauce's richness.
• Reserve pasta water before draining to help create a silky, emulsified sauce that clings beautifully to noodles.
• Spread prosciutto slices in a single layer on tomatoes to ensure even browning and maximum crunchiness.
• Allow gouda and parmesan to slowly melt into the sauce, creating a smooth, luxurious consistency without breaking.
• Chop fresh basil just before serving to release maximum aromatic oils and brighten the overall dish flavor profile.

Flavor Variations For Creamy Tomato Ricotta Pasta

• Vegan Creamy Tomato Pasta: Replace ricotta with cashew cream, swap prosciutto for crispy mushroom bacon, use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan.
• Gluten-Free Herb Pasta: Substitute regular pasta with chickpea or zucchini noodles, keep sauce and roasting technique identical.
• Mediterranean Olive Variation: Add kalamata olives to roasted tomatoes, sprinkle feta cheese instead of parmesan, incorporate fresh oregano for extra Mediterranean flavor.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Version: Replace pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles, reduce cooking time for vegetables, maintain original sauce and crispy prosciutto elements.

Serving Suggestions For Tomato Ricotta Pasta Dish

• Rustic Dinner Party Delight: Serve this pasta as a centerpiece for an intimate gathering, letting guests marvel at the vibrant colors and crispy prosciutto topping.
• Gourmet Lunch Escape: Pack in a mason jar for an elevated work lunch, keeping the crispy prosciutto separate to maintain its crunch until serving time.
• Fresh Herb Garden Garnish: Sprinkle extra fresh basil and thyme directly before serving to add a bright, aromatic finish that elevates the dish's visual and flavor profile.
• Wine Pairing Magic: Match with a crisp Italian white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light-bodied Vermentino to complement the tomato's acidity and ricotta's creaminess.

Storage Tips For Roasted Tomato Ricotta Pasta

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Ensure the pasta is completely cooled before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of water to prevent drying. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.
• Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water or extra olive oil to restore moisture and prevent sticking. Stir gently until heated through, about 3-5 minutes.

FAQs

• Why roast the tomatoes before making the sauce?

Roasting concentrates the tomatoes’ natural sweetness and creates deeper, more complex flavors compared to using raw tomatoes. The high heat caramelizes their sugars and enhances the overall taste of the pasta sauce.

• Can I use different types of cheese?

While ricotta and gouda create a creamy base, you can substitute with similar soft cheeses like mascarpone or cream cheese. For the hard cheese, parmesan can be replaced with pecorino or asiago for a slightly different flavor profile.

• How do I prevent the prosciutto from burning?

Placing the prosciutto on top of the tomatoes during roasting helps protect it from direct heat. Watch closely during the last 5 minutes of roasting and remove if it starts to look too dark or crisp.

Creamy Roasted Tomato Ricotta Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto Recipe

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4.7 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Roasted tomato ricotta pasta brings Mediterranean flavors dancing across your plate with luxurious Italian charm. Crispy prosciutto crumbles add savory crunch, while silky ricotta creates irresistible comfort you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 3 cups cherry tomatoes
• 6–10 cloves garlic
• 3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
• 1/2 cup fresh basil
• Crushed red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Proteins and Dairy:

• 8 slices prosciutto
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded gouda cheese
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons salted butter

Pasta and Oil:

• 1 pound long or short cut pasta
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 425° F for roasting vegetables and prosciutto.
2. Arrange tomatoes, garlic, thyme, rosemary, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and layer prosciutto on top. Roast for 15-20 minutes until prosciutto turns crisp and tomatoes burst.
3. Transfer two-thirds of the roasted tomatoes and garlic to a food processor. Add ricotta and blend until creating a smooth, creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper to enhance flavors.
4. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook pasta until perfectly al dente. Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining.
5. Return the pot to the stove and melt butter with thyme. Allow butter to brown slightly, then incorporate tomato puree and pasta water. Stir until well combined, then melt gouda and parmesan into the sauce.
6. Fold the cooked pasta and remaining roasted tomatoes into the sauce, ensuring even coating. Adjust sauce consistency by adding reserved pasta water if needed.
7. Plate the pasta and garnish generously with additional parmesan, crispy prosciutto pieces, and fresh basil leaves for a vibrant finish.

Notes

• Maximize flavor by roasting tomatoes at high heat, which caramelizes their natural sugars and intensifies their sweetness.
• Create a smoother sauce by using ripe, juicy tomatoes and blending them thoroughly with ricotta for a silky texture.
• Adjust sauce consistency with reserved pasta water, ensuring a perfectly coated pasta that’s neither too thick nor too thin.
• Make it vegetarian by swapping prosciutto with crispy roasted chickpeas or toasted pine nuts for a crunchy alternative protein.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 522 kcal
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 670 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 53 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 62 mg