Description
A refreshing and easy spaghetti dinner featuring a fresh uncooked tomato sauce combined with creamy ricotta salata and fresh herbs. This quick 20-minute meal highlights ripe tomatoes for a vibrant flavor without any cooking required for the sauce, making it perfect for warm weather or a simple weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Raw Tomato Sauce
- 12 ounces very ripe soft tomatoes (halved through their equators, about 2–3 medium tomatoes)
- ¼ cup good-quality extra-virgin olive oil (plus more for drizzling)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more as needed)
- 1 garlic clove (grated on a Microplane or minced, optional)
- ½ teaspoon red chile flakes (or to taste)
Pasta and Garnishes
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 5 ounces ricotta salata (crumbled)
- 2 cups mixed soft fresh herbs (e.g., basil, mint, chives, torn into pieces)
- Fresh ricotta (for serving)
- Sea salt (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Raw Tomato Sauce: Cut the tomatoes in half through their equators. Using the coarse side of a box grater, grate the tomatoes over a large bowl. The flesh will break down into a pulp, leaving only the skin which should be discarded. Stir in ¼ cup of extra-virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, the garlic if using, and red chile flakes. Let the mixture sit while you prepare the pasta so the flavors meld.
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, adding a generous amount of salt. Cook the spaghetti until it is almost tender, about one minute less than the package instructions suggest. Drain well to remove excess water.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the drained spaghetti with the prepared tomato sauce. Fold in the crumbled ricotta salata and torn fresh herbs gently to combine. Divide the pasta among plates and finish each serving with dollops of fresh ricotta, a sprinkle of sea salt, and a light drizzle of olive oil.
Notes
- Using very ripe, soft tomatoes is crucial for a flavorful raw sauce.
- Allowing the sauce to sit helps deepen the flavor as the ingredients meld.
- Ricotta salata can be substituted with feta or another hard mild cheese if unavailable.
- The red chile flakes can be adjusted or omitted depending on your spice preference.
- Fresh herbs add brightness and should be torn rather than chopped to avoid bruising.
