Cheesy Pasta with Tomato Salsa Topping

One of my favorite summer recipes is this Cheesy Pasta with Tomato Salsa Topping. The pasta has ricotta, fontina, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese in it. Giving it a great creamy texture.

The salsa is flavored with garlic, basil, and sea salt. Together they create the best tomato pasta salad.

picture of tomato basil pasta in a bowl with French bread and parmesan cheese on the side

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One of our favorite summer meals is this delicious pasta recipe.  It’s a family favorite that I adapted from a recipe that a friend made many years ago.

Using tomatoes fresh from my garden or the farmer’s market is the ideal way to create this recipe. That being said, it’s still really good with store-bought tomatoes.

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Summer Tomato Basil Salsa over Creamy Pasta

Cheesy but light pasta topped with tomato salsa
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Tomato Mixture should sit for at least an hour1 hour
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: cheesy tomato pasta, rotini noodles, summer pasta, tomato and pasta
Servings: 6 people
Calories:

Ingredients

  • 2 3/4 pounds tomatoes Cored and diced
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil shredded
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt Can use less if your want less sodium – You can also use Kosher Salt
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 tablespoon milk or cream
  • fresh ground pepper to taste
  • freshly grated nutmeg
  • 2 ounces fontina cheese (or fontinella) diced into 1/4" pieces
  • 2 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese diced into 1/4" pieces
  • 1 pound rotini or other short pasta
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese grated

Instructions

  • Combine first 4 ingredients and let stand at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours, stirring occassionally
  • Mix ricotta cheese with milk or cream to thin. Season with spices. Stir in cubed cheeses and let stand.
  • Cook pasta according to the package directions. Drain and put into a large pasta bowl. Toss pasta with olive oil. Add cheese mixture and fold in so pasta is evenly coated.
  • Drain tomato mixture in colander used to drain pasta. Put mixture on top of the pasta. Sprinkle with a good portion of fresh grated parmesan cheese. Pass the remainder
  • Serve with Fresh French Bread & a Simple Green Salad
Yum
A decorative horizontal line with symmetrical blue floral patterns and a steaming coffee cup icon in the center, evoking the warmth and simplicity of a cozy meal like ricotta and lemon pasta.

Alternative Suggestions for Cheesy Pasta with Tomato Salsa Recipe

Adding Protein

We like to eat this dish for a main course with crusty French bread and a side salad. However, you can have this as your side dish and serve it with protein along with a salad or vegetable.

Some ideas for your protein:

A large stainless steel bowl brimming with Italian meatballs, each cooked to perfection with a browned, crispy seared exterior. The evenly spaced delights rest comfortably, the bowl's surface gleaming on the countertop as it catches the light.

What Kind of Pasta Should You Use?

I use rotini noodles for this recipe but you can also use any type of short pasta. Here are some of my suggestions:

  • Farfalle (Bow Tie)
  • Campanelle
  • Penne Rigate (Mostaccioli)
  • Elbow Noodles (Macaroni)
A plate of rigatoni pasta with cherry tomatoes, two pieces of burrata cheese, and garnished with shredded parmesan and chopped basil. The dish is presented on a decorative white plate.

Side Dish Suggestions

Artisan Bread
The easiest no-knead bread. It has four simple ingredients and is so yummy!
Check out this recipe
Homemade Artisan Bread
A plate with a fresh green salad drizzled with ranch dressing sits next to a piece of cooked meat. A fork is placed beside the plate on a wooden table.

Wine Pairing

I love a great bottle of wine with dinner. Here are some of my suggestions for this pasta dish:

  • Josh Cellars – Rosé (Grocery or Liquor Store)
  • House of Mandela – Sauvignon Blanc (Trader Joe’s)
  • Sainte Celine – Chablis (Trader Joe’s)
  • Jermann – Pinot Grio (Liquor Store)

Conclusion

I love making this when we have guests out on the boat for the day. I make the tomato mixture and the cheese mixture early in the day. When we get home I boil the pasta and then put the dish together.

I hope you like this recipe as much as we do.

Enjoy!

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A decorative horizontal line with symmetrical blue floral patterns and a steaming coffee cup icon in the center, evoking the warmth and simplicity of a cozy meal like ricotta and lemon pasta.
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Meet Me

My name is Lynn. I live in the suburbs of Chicago in a 1,300 sq. ft. home with my Handy husband, Keith.

I’m an open book about my life on my blog. You can find out more about me by visiting my About page.

A decorative horizontal line with symmetrical blue floral patterns and a steaming coffee cup icon in the center, evoking the warmth and simplicity of a cozy meal like ricotta and lemon pasta.
A decorative horizontal line with symmetrical blue floral patterns and a steaming coffee cup icon in the center, evoking the warmth and simplicity of a cozy meal like ricotta and lemon pasta.

A great way to save this recipe is to add it to one of your Pinterest boards. You can find the pin button on the top left of the photo when you click on it. Also, don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest.

A white bowl filled with cheesy Tomato Basil Pasta, topped with diced tomato salsa, grated cheese, and a basil leaf. Bread, tomatoes, and parmesan are nearby. Text overlay reads "Cheesy Pasta with Tomato Salsa Topping.
A decorative horizontal line with symmetrical blue floral patterns and a steaming coffee cup icon in the center, evoking the warmth and simplicity of a cozy meal like ricotta and lemon pasta.
Close-up of a bowl of cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, uncooked pasta, and ingredients for a holiday cocktail on a kitchen countertop. Text overlay reads, "What's in My Cart This Week at The Small House Kitchen.
A decorative horizontal line with symmetrical blue floral patterns and a steaming coffee cup icon in the center, evoking the warmth and simplicity of a cozy meal like ricotta and lemon pasta.

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