Description
Creamy one-pot sun-dried tomato pasta delights pasta enthusiasts with Mediterranean charm. Rich whipped ricotta crowns this simple yet elegant dish, inviting pure comfort and flavor in every satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound short cut pasta
- 1 jar (8 ounces/226 grams) oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Aromatics and Herbs:
- 2 small shallots (sliced)
- 4 cloves garlic (chopped)
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Spanish or smoked paprika
- Red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
Instructions
- Extract the sun-dried tomato oil into a large pot, then finely dice the tomatoes.
- Heat the pot over medium-high temperature, sauté shallots and garlic until aromatic, approximately 2 minutes. Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper, cooking until tomatoes darken and slightly crisp, about 3-5 minutes.
- Pour water into the pot, bring to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook, stirring frequently, until perfectly tender, around 8 minutes.
- While pasta cooks, blend ricotta with lemon in a food processor until smooth and silky. Season with salt to enhance flavor.
- Remove pasta from heat, vigorously mix in parmesan and butter to create a luxurious, creamy texture.
- Fold fresh basil, parsley, and dill into the pasta, distributing herbs evenly.
- Spread whipped ricotta across serving dish or individual plates, creating a creamy base.
- Gently transfer hot pasta over ricotta, allowing slight mixing. Garnish with additional fresh herbs and parmesan cheese for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- Maximize flavor by using high-quality sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil, which adds richness to the dish.
- Customize pasta texture by adjusting water quantity slightly; less water creates a thicker sauce, more water makes it lighter.
- Transform into a vegetarian or gluten-free meal by substituting pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta varieties.
- Enhance meal prep by preparing whipped ricotta and chopping herbs in advance, reducing cooking time and simplifying the process.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg