• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Search All Recipes
    • Recipe Round-Ups
  • More
    • About
    • Work With Me!
    • Lifestyle
    • Outside the Kitchen
    • Kitchen Tips & Gifts
    • Contact

Framed Cooks

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Father’s Day Recipes!
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Father’s Day Recipes!
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Framed Cooks » Recipes » Recipes

    Pasta with Ricotta Tomato Sauce

    Published: Jul 11, 2021 · Modified: Mar 10, 2023 by Kate Morgan Jackson · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    This summery recipe for pasta with ricotta tomato sauce blends a light cheese sauce with herbs and veggies. And there’s practically no cooking involved!

    Easy Pasta with Tomato Ricotta Sauce

    PIN this recipe for Pasta with Ricotta Tomato Sauce now… So you can make it later!

    You know what’s almost as good as a pasta sauce that is full of creamy ricotta and sweet tomatoes and cheerful basil and zingy scallions and tangy Parmesan?

    The fact that the only cooking you are going to be doing with this pretty bowl of pasta is the cooking of the actual pasta, which in my book almost doesn’t count as cooking at ALL. And if you happen to be making this in the heat of summer, that counts as Serious Bonus Points.

    This is just the easiest, breeziest summer supper recipe – full of sweet tomatoes and basil and a little olive oil, mixed up with creamy ricotta cheese and then tossed with pasta that will warm everything up just the right summer amount and oh my my.

    Nn other news and having nothing to do with the pasta recipe, I wanted to give you just a quick look at what is going on right this second as I am writing about this pasta deliciousness.

    First up, I am 100% delighted with this new round (round!) mouse pad I got the other day.

    The Southern daughter has informed me that I am the only person left on the planet who uses a mouse pad, but on the off chance that there is somebody else out there who also uses one and needs a new one, I got mine here.

    mousepad

    The other thing I would like to point out is that there is some serious puppy dog snouting going on, complete with soulful puppy dog eyes that are telling me that I really should be romping with her in the back yard instead of typing.

    I’ll be right back. :)

    Okay! One of the key things to making this recipe as delectable as possible is to have the best ricotta cheese possible on hand.

    Where to find the best ricotta cheese

    In my house, that means I take an extra 15 minutes to make my own (please please please try this in your house – it’s magical!) but if you are getting it from the store, look for it in the specialty cheese section instead of the regular dairy section.

    It’s usually near the fresh mozzarella, and while it is a little more expensive than the dairy section kind, it is So Worth It.

    You are also going to want some cherry tomatoes, which magically keep their tomato taste all year long, as well as a little chopped basil, some scallions, and your favorite short pasta. We like campanelle, but penne or ziti or bowtie pasta will all work just fine. You be you, pasta-wise!

    Here’s how you make pasta with ricotta tomato sauce!

    Combine two cups of room temperature ricotta, four chopped up scallions, two cups of halved cherry tomatoes, a handful of chopped basil and a quarter cup of olive oil in a mixing bowl and stir it all up gently until it is nice and combined.

    Next! Cook your pasta according to package directions in heavily salted water.  Scoop out a cup of pasta water right before you drain it.

    Pour the hot pasta into the ricotta mixture and toss gently until until everything is nice and mixed, drizzling with as much of that pasta water as you need to form a loose sauce. 

    Give it a taste and add salt and pepper if you think it needs it.

    More tips for making pasta with ricotta tomato sauce!

    Can I use whole tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes?

    100% yes! This is a super flexible recipe, so use whatever great fresh tomatoes come your way. If you are using full size tomatoes, just chop them into bite sized pieces.Heirloom tomatoes sitting on a fence.

    Can I use different herbs in this recipe?

    I know at some point we all reach the breaking point with basil – ha! – and this recipe will work just fine with fresh oregano or thyme. Or use a mixture!

    Can I leave out the scallions?

    The scallions give this recipe a little bite, so if that’s not your favorite (or if you are making this for this kiddos) it is totally okay to skip the scallions. You could swap in a few chopped chives instead, or leave them out entirely for a milder taste.

    How much pasta should I cook per person?

    This is a question I get all the time! My rule of thumb is this: if I am making a pasta dish with a light sauce like this one, I use 3 ounces of dry pasta per person. If I am making a pasta with a more substantial sauce (my Seashore Pasta is a favorite example!) I drop it down to two ounces per person. One way or the other, your kitchen food scale is the very best way to measure out that perfect amount of pasta.

    Now divide it up among bowls and sprinkle on some grated parmesan cheese and a little fresh basil and serve it up. YUM.

    Easy Pasta with Tomato Ricotta Sauce

    So scrumptious, and quick enough that you have loads of time to romp around with whomever might be trying to get your attention at the moment!

    OTHER LIGHT SUMMER PASTA RECIPES WE LOVE!

    Zucchini Pasta with Ricotta
    This zucchini pasta with ricotta recipe is the perfect answer to all that summer squash! It’s a nice light pasta supper perfect for any time of year.
    Zucchini Pasta with Ricotta
    This zucchini pasta with ricotta recipe is the perfect answer to all that summer squash! It’s a nice light pasta supper perfect for any time of year.

    Print

    Pasta with Ricotta Tomato Sauce

    Easy Pasta with Tomato Ricotta Sauce
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    No reviews

    This summery recipe for pasta with ricotta tomato sauce blends a light cheese sauce with herbs and veggies. And there’s practically no cooking involved!

    • Author: Kate Morgan Jackson
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 15 minutes
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 4
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: Italian
    • Diet: Vegetarian

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 2 cups ricotta cheese, room temperature
    • 4 scallions, chopped
    • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
    • ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped, plus extra for garnish
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • 12 ounces short pasta (penne, campanelle, etc)
    • Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
    • Parmesan cheese for garnish

    Instructions

    1. Combine ricotta, scallions, tomatoes, basil and olive oil in a mixing bowl and stir until well combined.
    2. Cook pasta according to package directions in heavily salted water. Scoop out a cup of pasta water right before draining.
    3. Pour the hot pasta into the ricotta mixture and toss until coated, drizzling with pasta water as needed to form a loose sauce.
    4. Season to taste with salt and pepper and divide among bowls, garnishing with Parmesan and basil.

    Equipment We Used to Make This Recipe

    Image of Measuring Cup

    Measuring Cup

    Buy Now →
    Image of Cutting Board

    Cutting Board

    Buy Now →
    Image of Mixing Bowls

    Mixing Bowls

    Buy Now →
    Image of Strainer

    Strainer

    Buy Now →
    Image of Tongs

    Tongs

    Buy Now →
    Image of Large Pot

    Large Pot

    Buy Now →
    Image of Food Scale

    Food Scale

    Buy Now →

    Notes

    Need to add something to your kitchen equipment to make this recipe? Below are some of the items we used in the Framed Cooks kitchen to help cook this up. These are affiliate links to things we use and love, which helps to pay for all that bacon I keep buying (without any extra cost to you)!  Thanks for using them to keep our kitchen cooking…xoxo!

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag @FramedCooks on Facebook or Instagram…we want to see it!

    125 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Yummly

    Want every new recipe delivered right to your email inbox?

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Theresa M Murphy says

      July 14, 2021 at 6:57 am

      *raising hand* Still use a mouse pad! Pasta makes for the best suppers! And I’m here to vouch for your homemade ricotta recipe…it is as easy and delicious as you says it is! I pretty much always use up the whole pound of pasta in the package for a recipe like this so I can have leftovers for my work lunches. :)

      Reply
      • Kate Morgan Jackson says

        July 14, 2021 at 11:31 am

        Yay for us fellow mousers! I’m going to have to republish that ricotta recipe pretty soon to remind everyone of the ricotta magic. :)

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    Primary Sidebar

    Kate from Framed Cooks

    Hi, I’m Kate! I’m a recipe writer, food photographer and devoted bacon lover. I’m so glad you’re here!

    More about me →

    Father's Day Recipes!

    • steak and cherry tomato skewers
      Steak Skewers
    • Summer lasagna on a plate.
      Summer Lasagna
    • Shrimp cooked in beer in a bowl with a can of beer in the background.
      Shrimp Cooked In Beer
    • Bacon and egg pancakes on a plate.
      Bacon and Egg Pancakes
    • shredded pot roast
      Mimosa Fruit Salad
    • Sliced strawberry bread on a plate.
      Glazed Strawberry Bread

    Reader Favorites

    • Pastina with egg and cheese in a bowl.
      Pastina with Egg and Cheese, Otherwise Known As Comfort Food
    • Lemon Garlic Lobster Pasta in a bowl with a fork.
      Pasta with Lobster Sauce
    • Grandpa's Coca-Cola Ribs on a cutting board.
      Grandpa’s Coca-Cola Ribs
    • Pasta with Buttered Egg Sauce on a plate with a fork.
      Pasta with Egg Sauce
    • Soft scrambled eggs with ricotta on a plate.
      Ricotta Scrambled Eggs
    • Cheese Fries in a bowl on a wooden counter.
      Easy Cheese Fries

    Want every new recipe delivered right to your email inbox?

    Sign Me Up!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Get in Touch

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2025 Framed Cooks

    All photographs © FramedCooks and may not be used for any purpose without written permission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    125 shares
    125 shares
    • 78