Summer Spaghetti Dinner Recipe with Uncooked Tomato Sauce & Ricotta
This easy dinner recipe features a raw tomato sauce that’s both simple and flavorful, combining the natural sweetness of ripe summer tomatoes with the creaminess of fresh ricotta and the brightness of soft herbs. It’s perfect for a quick yet elegant meal, served warm or at room temperature, and can be prepared in just 20 minutes.
Equipment
- Box grater
- Large pot for boiling pasta
Ingredients
- 12 ounces very ripe soft tomatoes halved through their equators (2–3 medium)
- 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
- 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, then use the coarse side of a box grater to grate them over a large bowl. As you grate, the flesh will break down into a pulp, leaving only the skin, which you can discard. Stir in ¼ cup of olive oil, the kosher salt, garlic if using, and red chili flakes. Allow this mixture to sit while you prepare the pasta to let the flavors meld.
- Cook the Spaghetti: Fill a large pot with water, add a generous amount of salt, and bring it to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until it is just shy of tender, typically about one minute less than the package instructions recommend. Drain the pasta well.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the freshly cooked spaghetti with the tomato sauce mixture. Add the crumbled ricotta salata and the torn fresh herbs, gently mixing everything together. Divide the pasta among serving plates, then finish with dollops of fresh ricotta, a sprinkle of sea salt, and a light drizzle of olive oil.
Notes
- Make Ahead Tip: The raw tomato sauce can be made 1–2 hours in advance, but add the herbs only before serving to keep them fresh.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of balsamic vinegar or lemon juice to the sauce.
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