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This simple One Pot Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Whipped Ricotta is the perfect pasta dinner. Super quick, easy, and so delicious! Sun-dried tomatoes are cooked in oil with Spanish paprika and chili flakes then tossed together with hot penne pasta, plenty of parmesan, and fresh herbs. When the hot pasta is tossed with the creamy whipped ricotta cheese it melts into the most delicious sauce. It’s so delicious, and one of those all-in-one dinners that everyone at the table will love.
Truth is, I’ve been having a hard time with recipes the last few days. I’m so excited when I start out cooking, but by the end of the day, nothing seems to be working out just right. These days happen from time to time, so it’s totally OK, just frustrating. Fortunately, they help me appreciate the great days I have when testing new recipes.
The day I made this pasta was a great day. My first attempt the previous day needed some adjustments. But with a few tweaks, I ended up being so excited to share this recipe!
This pasta is magical. Ok, that’s slightly dramatic, but it’s one of those easy as can be dinners that’s actually so delicious and flavorful.
The details
Seeing as this is a one-pot recipe, it’s pretty straightforward. But there are a few special things I want to point out!
Start with the sun-dried tomatoes. I love using a jar of oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes. Not only are the tomatoes delicious, but I also like to use the oil from the jar in this dish. The oil is always seasoned, so it adds even more flavor. Just make sure it’s extra virgin olive oil.
You’ll want to drain the oil into a large pan, then finely chop the tomatoes.
To the oil, add in some shallots and garlic, then toss in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Now, this next step is key. Cook the tomatoes in the oil until they begin crisping and almost become fried. This will really help to intensify the flavors in the sauce.
After this step, the rest really is simple, simple. Pour in the water, add the pasta, and let the pasta cook. Just make sure to stir the pasta often to avoid any of it sticking to the pan.
Whip the ricotta
While the pasta cooks, I like to whip the ricotta cheese. Just add the ricotta and some lemon to a food processor or blender and puree until it’s super creamy.
Season with salt and that’s that. It’s the easiest, but it makes for the best pasta. And yes, this does technically count as one more thing to wash. But everything else can all be made fully in one pot, so, close enough, right?
Finish the pasta
When the pasta is al dente, stir in all the parmesan and a pat of butter. Stir until super creamy, then remove from the heat.
Then add in all the fresh herbs…immediately the smell of fresh herbs will fill the air.
Swirl the whipped ricotta into either a large serving bowl or individual bowls. Add the hot pasta (it has to be hot), and gently toss with the ricotta.
The heat from the pasta melts the ricotta turning it into the creamiest, most delicious sauce. It makes the pasta SO GOOD.
And all of this deliciousness will happen in under 30 minutes!
Excited to have this recipe in my deck of recipes. It’s pretty perfect any time of the year and everyone really loves it. You could even add chicken for any of your meat-eaters too!
I also like to serve this with arugula or a big green salad. Keep it light and fresh for springtime!
Looking for other one-pot recipes? Here are my favorites:
One Pot Stove-Top Mac and Cheese
French Onion Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto
Lemon Butter Dijon Chicken and Orzo with Feta Sauce
Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta
Lastly, if you make this One Pot Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Whipped Ricotta, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
One Pot Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Whipped Ricotta
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 412 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 jar (8 ounce) oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
- 2 small shallots, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoon spanish or smoked paprika
- red pepper flakes
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 pound short cut pasta
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
Instructions
- 1. Drain the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar into a large pot or skillet with sides. Chop the sun-dried tomatoes.2. Set the pot over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and garlic, cook until fragrant, 2 minutes. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, and a pinch each of red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Cook until the tomatoes turn deep red and are crisping, 3-5 minutes. Add 3 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, add the pasta, and cook, stirring often, until the pasta is al dente, 8 minutes. 3. Meanwhile, whip the ricotta and lemon in a food processor until creamy. Season with salt. 4. To the pasta, stir in in the parmesan and butter until very creamy. Remove from the heat and stir in the basil, parsley, and dill. 3. Swirl the ricotta into a large pasta bowl or individual bowls. Add the hot pasta and lightly toss with the ricotta. Top each bowl with additional herbs and parmesan.
YUM! Cheesey pasta and creamy sauce! Easy recipe to follow and one pot makes for a quick clean up. Will definitely make this again
Hey Emily,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe, I am so glad it was a hit! Thanks for sharing your review!? xT
Delicious! My husband and I made it together for dinner which was quite an easy, showstopper for a worknight meal! I thought the technique of adding the pasta directly to the bowl was unique and super helpful clean up wise (less dishes yay!). We added some cut up, sauteed sausages but otherwise made the recipe exact. SUPER tasty with a kick of heat! Would make again for a group
Hi Nicole,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you so much for giving it a try!! Have the best day:) xx
This looks amazing! Do you think ground beef would work with these flavors?
Hey Sarah,
I would probably do ground sausage, ground spicy chicken sausage, or chicken. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
I don’t have a large enough pan for all of this,
could I cook the pasta in another pan separately?
If so, how?
Hi there,
You can just use a large pot if you don’t have a skillet and then just follow the instructions as is. Please let me know if you have any other questions. xTieghan
Love this one pot pasta recipe! So easy, I didn’t have the herbs on hand and the dish was super flavourful even without them. Will definitely be making this one again in the near future 🙂
Hey Jackie,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you so much for giving it a try!! Have the best day:) xx
O K. THIS PASTA IS AMAZING. I made it twice in 10 days lol. Using the sun-dried tomato oil adds so much flavour to the dish. I made this without the ricotta. The first round was without any cheese (except for the Parm, obvs) and it was still very delicious, the second time I made it I used boursin garlic and fine herb cheese mixed in at the end and O MY G. Beyond!!! This will become a staple in my house. So delicious! Thank you for this recipe!
Hi Kristen,
Wonderful!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
Insanely good. Trust the process. My family devoured it. So easy.
Hi Paula,
Wonderful!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
So easy and full of deep flavors, loved it!
Hi Angela,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it!! Have the best week:) xTieghan
My family loved it!
Hey Crystal,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it!! Have the best week:) xTieghan
We loved it! I put it in my favorites file. So easy and delish. Only thing I did different was add some grilled shrimp
Hi Cindy,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it!! Have the best week:) xTieghan
I always like to comment on a recipe when I actually make it vs go based on internet appearance, like most. I can say that this was amazing, full of flavor, and a new family favorite.
Hey Ivy,
Happy Sunday!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it and sharing your feedback! xx
Loved it on the first try. We’re adding cut baked chicken to the mix next time for a touch of protein
Hey Dennis,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed. Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
This is delicious! Took a bit longer to cook the pasta and needed a bit more water for me, but it will be in the rotation. I added some cut up, fried Italian sausage with the Parmesan.
Hey Karmen,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for trying it out!! xx
Made this last night and it was OUTSTANDING!!! That whipped ricotta makes for an incredibly creamy dish without being too heavy. We served by the bowl so we could keep the ricotta separated from the pasta for reheating leftovers for lunch today. I could easily see using ground Italian sausage or some shredded rotisserie chicken if someone wants to get some meat in there to appease meat-lovers. Definitely adding this to my faves!
Hey Kristie,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for trying it out!! xx
Delicious, and even my toddler loved it. I also had to add more water and cook the pasta longer, but I used fusilli so that may be why.
Hey Bridget,
Wonderful!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! ?xTieghan