Cold Pasta with Tomato and Ricotta 🍅 Sicilian-Style Pesto alla Siciliana 🇮🇹

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Atsuko
Author Profile Image

Atsuko

Founder of @Umami Sans Frontières

Light, creamy, and full of Mediterranean flavor, this chilled pasta features a red pesto “Pesto Rosso”, which I introduced in a separate recipe, made with fresh tomatoes 🍅 and ricotta cheese. 🧀 It’s the perfect dish for hot summer days when you’re looking for something refreshing, satisfying, and easy to prepare. ☀️
Expense
💵
Preparation
30 mins
Baking time
Rest Time
120 mins

Ingredients

Cooking time: Approximately 30 minutes *excluding time to cool the pasta in the refrigerator
Ingredients:

For 4 people:

  • 350–400g of Pasta of Your Choice
  • Appropriate Amount of Olive Oil
  • Appropriate Amount of Black Olives (about 50g)
  • Appropriate Amount of Cherry Tomatoes (about 100g)
  • 400–450g of Tomato and Ricotta Cheese Pestorosso **How to make: Check out the recipe for Pestorosso with Tomato and Ricotta.
  • Appropriate Amount of Parmesan Cheese (or your favorite shredded cheese)
How to make it:

1/ Boil the Pasta: Fill a pot with plenty of water and bring it to a boil.
2/ Add Salt and Cook the Pasta: Once the water is boiling, add an appropriate amount of salt (not listed in ingredients), then add the pasta of your choice. Cook according to the package instructions.

3/ Drain and Coat with Olive Oil: After boiling, drain the pasta in a colander, then transfer it to a bowl. Add an appropriate amount of olive oil and toss to coat.

4/ Cool the Pasta: Let the pasta cool at room temperature for a while, then place it in the refrigerator to chill thoroughly.
5/ Prepare the Pestorosso Sauce
While the pasta is cooling, make the tomato and ricotta cheese Pestorosso.
See recipe: Pestorosso with Tomato and Ricotta.

6/ Chop the Toppings: Cut the black olives and cherry tomatoes into bite-sized pieces.

7/ Mix Pasta and Sauce: Just before serving, take the chilled pasta from the refrigerator and mix it with the Pestorosso. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more olive oil to loosen it.
8/ Add Toppings and Serve: Add the chopped olives and tomatoes to the pasta. Mix gently and serve in a bowl or directly on a plate. Enjoy!

🌟Simple Additions to Make It Even Better🌟

⭐️ Use Your Favorite Pasta Shape: This recipe features Tortiglioni, a short pasta similar to rigatoni. But feel free to use your favorite pasta—fusilli, penne, or even spaghetti all work well!

⭐️ Make It Your Own: While this version includes cherry tomatoes and black olives, the sauce is delicious on its own too. Add your favorite ingredients like grilled zucchini, capers, or roasted peppers for a personal touch.

⭐️ Add Cheese for Extra Depth: A sprinkle of Parmesan or your favorite shredded cheese takes this dish to the next level with added richness and umami.

⭐️ Serve with a Crisp Green Salad: For a well-balanced summer meal, pair this chilled pasta with a refreshing green salad. The contrast in textures and temperatures makes it even more satisfying.

Umami Sans Frontières – Copyrights 2026
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Written byAtsuko

Founder of @Umami Sans Frontières

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