Elevate simple tomato pasta with these golden cheese dumplings, and for adults, top with chilli flakes and capers for the most deliciously rich pasta, that you can whip up in half an hour.
Looking for weeknight dinner inspo? This pasta is quick and easy to prepare, but rich and full of flavour. Made with a base of sun dried tomatoes and preserving oil, we're making a beautifully intense tomato sauce to coat the pasta.
Then we'll top with your cheese dumplings and pop it under the grill for a gooey, melt-in-your mouth dinner that is simple and delicious.
What makes this Tomato pasta so special?
Firstly, we'll make it with sun dried tomatoes, which gives us a rich and intense base to our sauce. Make sure you use the oil from the jar of sun dried tomatoes (we don't want to waste this) to give that extra dimension of flavour.
Then, we top with cheese dumplings. These use a combination of ricotta, cheddar (tasty) and parmesan cheese, mixed with egg and grated garlic, to make fluffy, cheesy dumplings that puff up a little under the grill and melt beautifully in the pasta.
Finally, top it with capers and chilli flakes for a truly delicious dinner.
Top tip
Make sure you use good quality ricotta cheese that comes in a sieve. Don’t use smooth ricotta, or Perfect Italiano if you are in Australia, as it has a grainy texture.
Substitutions
- Alternative proteins - Option to add pancetta to the top of the pasta when you place it in the oven.
- Vegetarian - This recipe is vegetarian.
- Dairy Free - Swap ricotta for dairy free sour cream, and use dairy free shredded parmesan in place of cheddar and parmesan cheeses.
- Gluten Free - Use gluten free penne.
Kid-Friendly Variations of Tomato Pasta
As a simple tomato pasta recipe, this recipe is designed for kids. This recipe is designed for kids, so serve it as is. For adults, add chilli flakes and capers to add some spice.
Equipment
You will need an oven grill (broiler), a pot, a stovetop, an oven proof casserole dish.
More Pasta Recipes
Recipe
Tomato Pasta with Cheese Dumplings
Equipment
- Oven grill (broiler)
- Pot
- Stovetop
- Oven proof casserole dish
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 50 g tasty (cheddar) cheese
- 50 g parmesan cheese
- 1 clove garlic 2 cloves total for the recipe
- 250 g ricotta
- ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper 1.5 teaspoon total for the recipe
- 375 g penne
- ⅓ cup sundried tomatoes in oil
- 1 clove garlic 2 cloves total for the recipe
- 800 g crushed tomatoes
- 60 g tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt and pepper 1.5 teaspoon total for the recipe
- ½ teaspoon salt and pepper 1.5 teaspoon total for the recipe
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper 1.5 teaspoon total for the recipe
- 2 tablespoon baby capers
- ½ teaspoon chilli flakes opt.
- 2 pinch salt and pepper 1.5 teaspoon total for the recipe
Instructions
- Preheat oven grill (broiler). Place a pot of salted water on high heat.1 tablespoon salt
- Grate cheddar and parmesan into a bowl. Mince garlic. Mix in ricotta, salt and pepper.50 g tasty (cheddar) cheese, 50 g parmesan cheese, 1 clove garlic, 250 g ricotta, ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper
- Add pasta to the boiling water. Cook for 2 minutes less than al dente (according to packet instructions).375 g penne
- Heat an oven proof casserole dish over medium heat. Add 3 tablespoons oil from sundried tomatoes, sundried tomato strips and garlic, and cook for 1 minute.⅓ cup sundried tomatoes in oil, 1 clove garlic
- Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Stir to combine and simmer.800 g crushed tomatoes, 60 g tomato paste, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, ½ teaspoon salt and pepper
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer pasta to the sauce and stir to coat. Season to taste (if it tastes too sweet, add more salt and pepper).½ teaspoon salt and pepper
- Roll cheese mixture into dumplings and add to the top of the pasta. Drizzle over olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and place under the grill (broiler) for 10 minutes, or until starting to turn golden.1 teaspoon olive oil, ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper
- Serve pasta and dumplings.For adults, add capers and chilli flakes, and season with salt and pepper.2 tablespoon baby capers, ½ teaspoon chilli flakes, 2 pinch salt and pepper
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