Baby Shells with Butter Toasted Tomato Sauce & Fresh Ricotta

Serving size:4
Baby Shells with Butter Toasted Tomato Sauce & Fresh Ricotta

Ingredients

  • 1 28-oz. can whole peeled tomatoes
  • 8 garlic cloves, peeled, crushed
  • 2 anchovy fillets packed in oil (or 1 tsp anchovy paste)
  • 1/4 cup (½ stick) salted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes plus more for serving
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 12 oz baby shells
  • Finely grated Parmesan (for serving)
  • fresh basil
  • fresh ricotta (the good stuff from your local cheese store!)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°. Combine tomatoes (crushing them with your hands), garlic, anchovies, butter, and ½ tsp. red pepper flakes in a 13×9” baking dish; season with salt and black pepper. Roast, tossing halfway through, until garlic is very soft and mixture is jammy, 35–40 minutes. Using a potato masher or fork, mash to break up garlic and tomatoes.
  2. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta cooking liquid.
  3. Return pasta to pot and add tomato sauce and pasta cooking liquid. Cook over medium-high heat, tossing until sauce coats pasta, about 3 minutes. Serve topped with Parmesan, a dollop of ricotta, and fresh basil.

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