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Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce and Ricotta Cheese

This fresh tomato sauce and pasta comes together in less than 15 minutes and is made even healthier with whole wheat pasta and fresh spinach. Perfect for busy weeknights!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 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 cocktail size tomatoes , (about 8-10 tomatoes), quartered
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 cups Fresh Spinach Leaves
  • ⅓ cup fresh basil , slivered
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese , grated
  • 1 cup fresh ricotta cheese

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Add the tomatoes with any juice and season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes until warmed through.
  4. 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.
  5. Top with dollops of fresh ricotta, drizzle with more olive oil, and serve warm.

Notes

  • Use any variety of pasta noodle you like. I usually make this with a shorter pasta noodle to get even bites of pasta and tomato with each forkful. 

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 (16%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 2828IU (57%) Vitamin C 21mg (23%) Calcium 332mg (33%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

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.