Ingredients
- 450g (1 pound) ripe medium vine tomatoes, halved
- 1 small whole garlic head (or 4 large garlic cloves, unpeeled)
- 30ml (2 tbsp) olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 225g (8 oz) pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or your choice)
- Pasta cooking water (adjust to desired consistency)
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
- 120g (1/2 cup) ricotta cheese
- Handful fresh basil leaves
- Grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Place halved tomatoes on a baking dish. Cut the top off the garlic head to expose the cloves, and place it next to the tomatoes.
- Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Roast in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, cover with kitchen foil, and place back in the oven for another 10 minutes until the tomatoes are blistered and caramelized, and the garlic is soft.
- While the tomatoes and garlic are roasting, cook the pasta al dente in heavily salted water according to package instructions. Reserve about 240ml (1 cup) of pasta cooking water before draining.
- Once roasted, squeeze the soft garlic cloves out of the skin and transfer them to a blender along with the roasted tomatoes, basil leaves, and chili flakes (if using). Add the ricotta cheese and about 60ml (1/4 cup) of the reserved pasta cooking water, then blend until smooth.
- In a large skillet, combine the blended tomato mixture with the cooked pasta and toss until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce. Heat over medium heat until heated through. Add more pasta cooking water if needed.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt or pepper if necessary.
- Serve the pasta in bowls, garnished with fresh basil leaves and grated parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can use any pasta of your choice; spaghetti or fettuccine works best with this creamy sauce.
- For an extra punch of flavor, add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil before serving.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of pasta cooking water.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Roasting, Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 240 kcal
