Spicy Roasted Tomato and Ricotta Pasta Sauce

Roasting tomatoes is an easy way to add a flavorful punch to your pasta sauce! Add in light and creamy ricotta and savory Italian sausage and you have the perfect complement to a hearty pasta like cavatappi or farfalle.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 2 hr
• Total Time: 2 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 221 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
• 5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 (8 ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 1 ¼ teaspoons salt, divided
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (Optional)
• 1 ounce grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 ½ pounds Roma tomatoes, cored and halved lengthwise
• 19 ounces ground hot Italian sausage
• ½ sweet onion, halved and thinly sliced

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

Toss tomatoes, 4 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper together in a medium bowl. Place tomatoes cut-side up in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 3

Bake in the preheated oven until soft and juicy, about 2 hours. Remove from the oven. Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Step 4

Sprinkle remaining 1 teaspoon salt, sugar, Italian seasoning, rosemary, basil, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes evenly over the tomatoes. Drizzle tops of tomatoes with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.

Step 5

Return baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes.

Step 6

Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Cook sausage and onion until sausage is no longer pink and onion softens, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 7

Transfer roasted tomatoes and any juices to a food processor. Process to desired consistency. Add ricotta and Parmesan cheeses and pulse to combine. Pour tomato sauce into a bowl; mix in sausage-onion mixture.