Spicy Roasted Tomato and Ricotta Pasta Sauce
Description
Roasted tomatoes add a flavorful punch to this pasta sauce that also features creamy ricotta cheese and savory Italian sausage.
Ingredients
•
2 1/2 pounds Roma tomatoes, cored and halved lengthwise
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5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
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2 tablespoons minced garlic
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1 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
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1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
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2 tablespoons white sugar
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2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
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2 teaspoons dried rosemary
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2 teaspoons dried basil
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2 teaspoons dried parsley
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon onion powder
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1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
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19 ounces ground hot Italian sausage
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1/2 sweet onion, halved and thinly sliced
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1 (8 ounce) container ricotta cheese
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1 ounce grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
1
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2
Toss tomatoes, 4 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper together in a medium bowl. Place tomatoes cut-side up in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
3
Bake in the preheated oven until soft and juicy, about 2 hours. Remove from the oven. Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
4
Sprinkle remaining 1 teaspoon salt, sugar, Italian seasoning, rosemary, basil, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes evenly over the tomatoes. Drizzle tops of tomatoes with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
5
Return baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes.
6
Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Cook sausage and onion until sausage is no longer pink and onion softens, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
7
Transfer roasted tomatoes and any juices to a food processor. Process to desired consistency. Add ricotta and Parmesan cheeses and pulse to combine. Pour tomato sauce into a bowl; mix in sausage-onion mixture.