Ricotta Pasta with Prosciutto

ricotta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Cottage cheese is lower in fat and calories while still providing creaminess.

prosciutto

🥗Healthier: turkey bacon

💰Cheaper: ham

Turkey bacon is lower in fat, and ham is more budget-friendly.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grana padano

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free, while grana padano is a less expensive cheese alternative.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Canola oil is more affordable and has a neutral flavor.

Lay down 300 grams of thinly sliced prosciutto on top of each other and slice into strips or roll up like a cigar and slice, then set aside.

Finely chop 1 to 2 cloves of garlic and 1/2 small yellow onion.

In a bowl, combine 300 grams of fresh ricotta and finely grate parmigiano-reggiano to taste, then set aside.

In a large dry pan over medium heat, add the prosciutto and cook until halfway done, then remove to a plate and set aside.

Add 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to the pan along with the chopped onion and sauté until soft, allowing the fond to release flavor.

Add the chopped garlic and red chili flakes to the pan and sauté until the garlic is tender.

Add 680 ml of passata to the pan and season with salt and freshly cracked pepper, cooking the sauce for about 20 minutes until it thickens, stirring often.

Salt a large pot of boiling water and cook rigatoni pasta just before al dente, as it will finish cooking in the sauce.

Add a small ladle of pasta water to the ricotta and parmigiano-reggiano mixture and mix until smooth and creamy.

Tear fresh basil leaves and add to the sauce, then mix in the ricotta mixture.

Taste and adjust seasonings, then add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to combine, adding more pasta water if needed.

Add the prosciutto back into the pasta and mix, then add more parmigiano-reggiano and toss again to combine.

Plate the pasta, adding a spoonful of sauce, a dollop of ricotta, and some freshly cracked pepper before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens