Sugo Rosso (Red Sauce) with Ricotta Cheese
It’s hard to not make this dish my new favorite because it is down. right. mouthwatering...not to mention gorgeous! The bright flavorful red sauce compliments the creamy ricotta perfectly. And when you spread it all out on a crusty toasted to golden perfection roll, you can’t help but feel like you are in heaven….or in the rustic kitchen of some small trattoria somewhere in the rolling hills of Tuscany! It is simple cooking at it’s best!
This dish makes a pleasing starter or side dish. I love it served along with a salad for lunch or a light dinner. This recipe is both lovely for the summer when you want something light as well as in the winter when you are wanting warm comforting flavors :)
Since there are only a few ingredients here, the quality is very important. I used my Simple & Delicious Italian Tomato Sauce recipe in this and it was divine. The recipe is at the bottom of this page but I have also linked it in the ingredients below so you can visit the original post with photos. If you use a store bought red sauce make sure it is a very good one. Use whole milk (whole flavor) ricotta and don’t be afraid to oil or butter up those breads too!
The Recipe
Sugo Rosso with Ricotta Cheese
The Ingredients -
2 Cups of my Simple & Delicious Tomato Sauce or Other Favorite Red Sauce (make sure it’s amazing!!)
1 Cup Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
4 Rolls or Pieces of a Baguette
Butter & Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper
1 Garlic Clove - optional
Let the ricotta cheese sit out until it is at room temp. Warm slightly in the microwave right before serving depending how cold your house is.
Make the sauce or heat the already made sauce, keep it warm until ready to use.
Cut your bread in half and butter or oil the inside. Sprinkle lightly with salt and grill until golden and toasted. Rub the garlic clove over the finished toasts (optional)
Add 1/2 cup of the heated tomato sauce your dish and using an ice cream scoop, place 1/4 of the ricotta on top. Garnish with fresh pepper and a sprig of parsley or some fresh basil.
Serve warm with the toasts on the side.
Serves 4
Buon Appetito! And remember…this dish needs to be served with wine :)
SIMPLE AND DELICIOUS ITALIAN TOMATO SAUCE
The recipe -
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup red onions diced
3 large fresh garlic cloves crushed. I have used anywhere from 2 to 7 depending on the size so don’t worry too much here. It can be made to your personal preference.
28 oz can or jar of peeled whole imported Italian San Marzano tomatoes*
1 tsp + kosher salt
A handful of large basil leaves torn into small pieces - about 8 - 10 leaves
Pecorino or parmesan cheese if serving with pasta
Cut up the tomatoes or crush in your hands into desired size pieces. If you’d like you can take out some of the seeds before chopping them by slicing them open and simply removing with your fingers. I usually take out some of the seeds but I don’t go crazy because the end product will be amazing either way. Set the cut up tomatoes and all the sauce from the can or jar aside.
In a large sautè pan heat the olive oil on medium heat. When hot add the red onion and sautè until softened. Add in the crushed garlic and saute a minute more.
Turn the heat up to medium high and add in the cut up tomatoes. Have a lid ready to cover the pan in case the tomatoes start spitting too much.
Add the salt and simmer the sauce (uncovered), stirring often. You want the sauce to simmer at a good pace without burning or spitting everywhere.
Cook for 7 or 8 min to thicken the sauce. Adjust salt if needed. Take off the heat and add in the torn basil leaves. Stir to combine.
Yields approx. 2 cups of sauce
*I buy my San Marzano tomatoes at Trader Joe’s but I have ordered through Amazon during the lock down. They are fairly easy to find at most supermarket though. The price tag is usually a bit higher but I find the taste worth every cent.