Best Cherry Tomato Kale Ricotta Pesto Pasta Recipes

TOMATO RICOTTA PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to package instructions. When finished, scoop out 1 cup of the pasta water and drain the pasta using a colander.
• Transfer the pasta back into the pot and mix in the tomato ricotta pesto. Add about 1/4 of a cup of pasta water at a time to thin out the sauce to your liking.
• While the pasta is cooking, add 2 tbsps of olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium heat. Add the panko, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes, stir to coat the panko and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the panko is toasted. Right before removing it from the heat, add lemon juice from half the lemon.
• Using the same skillet you used for the lemony panko, add 1 tbsp of olive oil and heat over high heat. Once the pan is scorching hot add all the tomato ingredients except for the balsamic vinegar. The tomatoes will sizzle right away so it's best to cover them with a splatter guard. Let them cook for 4-5 minutes until the tomatoes begin to burst, stirring occasionally. Right before removing them from the heat, add the balsamic vinegar, stir, and transfer to a plate.
• Add the tomatoes and the panko to the pot with the pasta, mix, and divide between plates. Garnish with fresh chopped basil and freshly shredded romano cheese.

SUMMER GARDEN PASTA

Steps:

• Combine the cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup olive oil, garlic, basil leaves, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, and the pepper in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, and set aside at room temperature for about 4 hours.
• Just before you're ready to serve, bring a large pot of water with a splash of olive oil and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil and add the pasta. Cook al dente according to the directions on the package (be careful - it only takes 2 to 3 minutes!). Drain the pasta well and add to the bowl with the cherry tomatoes. Add the cheese and some extra fresh basil leaves and toss well. Serve in big bowls with extra cheese on each serving.

ONE-POT SPAGHETTI WITH CHERRY TOMATOES AND KALE

Steps:

• Bring just over a quart of water to a boil. Meanwhile, place spaghetti, tomatoes, lemon zest, oil and 2 teaspoons kosher salt in a large, dry, shallow pan. (The pan should be large enough that the dry spaghetti can lie flat.)
• Carefully add the boiling water to the pan with the spaghetti. Cover pan, and bring up to a boil. Remove lid and simmer for about 6 minutes, using tongs to move the spaghetti around now and then so it doesn't stick. Add kale or spinach and continue cooking until remaining liquid has reduced to a sauce and the pasta is cooked through. Taste, season with salt and pepper, and top with Parmesan.

SPICY AND SAUCY CHERRY TOMATO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high. Pat the capers dry, then add them to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the capers to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Add the tomato paste to the skillet and cook over medium-high, stirring frequently, until tomato paste darkens in color and deepens in flavor, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium, add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, the garlic and red-pepper flakes, if using, and cook, stirring frequently, until garlic is softened and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and reduce heat to medium. Cook according to package instructions until al dente.
• While the pasta cooks, add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet, season with salt and pepper and cook over medium-high, stirring, 5 minutes. Add 2/3 cup pasta cooking water from the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes start to fall apart and the liquid becomes saucy, about 10 minutes.
• Drain the pasta, and transfer it to the skillet with the sauce to combine. (If your skillet is too full to accommodate the pasta, you can transfer the cooked pasta back to the pot, then add the sauce to combine.) Stir in half the basil and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Divide among plates or bowls and top with capers and remaining basil, plus cheese and whole basil leaves. Serve immediately.

PASTA WITH FRESH TOMATO SAUCE AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in a large pot of well-salted water, making sure to keep it quite al dente.
• Put butter in a wide deep skillet over medium heat. Add drained pasta to the pan and season with salt, pepper and crushed red pepper, if using.
• Add tomato sauce gradually and stir to coat pasta, using only enough sauce for a light coating (you may not need the entire 2 1/2 cups).
• Transfer pasta to a warm serving bowl and dot top with spoonfuls of ricotta. Sprinkle lightly with pecorino and garnish with a few torn basil leaves.