4.3 from 270 votes
Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce and Ricotta Cheese
This pasta dish features whole wheat farfalle tossed in a fresh tomato sauce cooked with garlic and olive oil. Wilted spinach and fresh basil add bright, herbal notes while grated Parmesan and creamy ricotta cheese provide savory richness. The result is a well-balanced, vibrant pasta with contrasting textures and flavors.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings:
4
servings
Calories:
540 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 8 ounces whole wheat pasta , (I use farfalle)
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic , minced or pressed
- 1 pound tomatoes about 8-10 tomatoes), quartered, cocktail size
- salt Kosher salt and freshly ground
- black pepper Kosher salt and freshly ground
- 2 cups spinach fresh leaves
- ⅓ cup basil slivered, fresh
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese , grated
- 1 cup ricotta cheese fresh
Instructions
- Cook the whole wheat pasta in salted water 1 minute less than the package directions, so pasta is done, but al dente. Drain and reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water.
- In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. When hot, add the minced garlic and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for about 5 minutes until oil becomes fragrant, stirring often. Be sure to watch the garlic so it doesn’t burn.
- Add the tomatoes with any juice and season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes until warmed through.
- Add the drained hot pasta to the tomatoes. Add the fresh spinach and toss =until spinach begins to wilt. Add the fresh basil leaves, grated parmesan cheese and more kosher salt and pepper to taste. If the pasta seems dry, add more olive oil or 1-2 tablespoons of pasta water to the pasta mixture.
- Top with dollops of fresh ricotta, drizzle with more olive oil, and serve warm.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Choose your favorite short pasta shape to balance sauce and toppings in each forkful.
- Cook pasta slightly under package recommended time to prevent over-softening when mixed with sauce and ingredients.
- Add reserved pasta water gradually when tossing to achieve desired sauce consistency.
Nutrition Information
Calories
540kcal
(27%)
Carbohydrates
51g
(17%)
Protein
21g
(42%)
Fat
30g
(46%)
Saturated Fat
10g
(50%)
Cholesterol
40mg
(13%)
Sodium
275mg
(11%)
Potassium
559mg
(12%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
2828IU
(57%)
Vitamin C
21mg
(23%)
Calcium
332mg
(33%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 540
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 540kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 51g | 17% |
| Protein | 21g | 42% |
| Fat | 30g | 46% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 40mg | 13% |
| Sodium | 275mg | 11% |
| Potassium | 559mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 2828IU | 57% |
| Vitamin C | 21mg | 23% |
| Calcium | 332mg | 33% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.