Baked Penne with Cherry Tomatoes and Creamy Salted Ricotta

Baked Penne with Cherry Tomatoes and Salted Ricotta

Category: Main Dishes (Primi Piatti)
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Tomato Sauce:
   Start by washing the cherry tomatoes and cutting them into quarters. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and pour in the extra virgin olive oil. Add the garlic clove and let it gently brown for a minute. Once the garlic is golden, remove it from the pan and discard it.

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2. Cook the Tomatoes:
   Add the chopped tomatoes to the skillet, season with a pinch of fine salt, and stir. Add fresh basil to taste, cover the skillet, and let the tomatoes cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the tomatoes have softened and released their juices, remove the skillet from the heat.

3. Cook the Penne:
   In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the penne rigate until it is al dente, following the package instructions. Once the pasta is ready, drain it, reserving a small cup of pasta water for later use.

4. Combine the Pasta and Sauce:
   Add the cooked penne directly to the skillet with the tomato sauce, mixing it well. Grate the salted ricotta with a coarse grater and add it to the pasta mixture, saving about 50g for the topping.

5. Assemble the Baked Penne:
   Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture to a 27×19 cm (10.5×7.5 inches) baking dish. Sprinkle the reserved ricotta over the top to create a golden, cheesy crust.

6. Bake:
   Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

7. Serve:
   Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves if desired.

Enjoy your Baked Penne with Cherry Tomatoes and Salted Ricotta, a delightful and savory Italian dish, perfect for a cozy dinner or a family meal. The sweet tomatoes and creamy ricotta create a perfect balance of flavors, while the crunchy baked topping brings everything together beautifully.

This dish is not only easy to make but also versatile, allowing for substitutions based on your taste or what you have available. You can add a sprinkle of chili flakes for some heat or experiment with different cheeses if salted ricotta is not available.

Enjoy cooking and dining with Love with Recipes!