Description
A creamy and flavorful pasta dish featuring a luscious sun-dried tomato ricotta pesto, combining the tangy richness of sun-dried tomatoes with smooth ricotta and fresh basil for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta (your choice, like penne or spaghetti)
Sun-dried Tomato Ricotta Pesto
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and roughly chopped
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a kick)
Garnish
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (optional for garnish)
- Extra Parmesan cheese (optional for serving)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Begin by boiling a large pot of salted water. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the pesto: In a food processor, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, basil leaves, minced garlic, and olive oil. Process until the mixture is smooth and well-combined, scraping down the sides as necessary.
- Season the pesto: Taste the pesto and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Process again briefly to incorporate any additional seasoning.
- Combine pasta and pesto: In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained pasta with the sun-dried tomato ricotta pesto. Stir gently to ensure that the pasta is well-coated with the sauce.
- Adjust consistency: If the pesto is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta cooking water a tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Serve: Serve the pasta warm, garnished with toasted pine nuts and extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water because it helps to loosen the pesto and creates a silkier sauce.
- Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for better flavor and texture.
- Toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant to enhance their taste.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and add a subtle kick to the dish.
- Fresh basil leaves elevate the aroma and freshness of the pesto.
