Microwaving garlic to roast it is a new trend online that I hadn’t really given much thought to, till I found this recipe. It definitely does make it fast and easy to have a delicious meal that tastes like it took hours. Roasted garlic has a smoky, savory, upscale flavor that screams “luxury” to my taste buds, so adding it to something that is creamy and cheesy like this pasta salad is definitely company-worthy. Whip it out to impress at your next gathering – no one who tastes one bite will ever believe you made it in just half an hour!

Ingredients

 

1 head garlic

½ Tbsp. olive oil

1 lb. pasta shells

15 oz. ricotta cheese

¼ cup grated parmesan

salt and pepper to taste

1-pint cherry tomatoes

3 cups baby spinach

 

Instructions

Using a sharp knife, cut approximately 1/2 inch off the top of the head of garlic. Place the garlic bulb in a small bowl or dish and drizzle 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil over the exposed cloves. Cover the bowl with an inverted plate. Microwave on high, in one minute increments, until the garlic is soft and fragrant (about 2 minutes). Use caution when touching the dishes, they will be very hot. Allow the garlic to cool.

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, add the pasta, and cook for 7-10 minutes or until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water.

While the pasta is cooking, squeeze the garlic cloves from the head and mince well.

Add the minced garlic to a medium bowl along with the ricotta cheese, a healthy dose of freshly cracked pepper, and about 1/2 tsp of salt. Add the 1/2 cup of hot, starchy pasta cooking water. Stir until it forms a smooth sauce.

Drain the pasta. Return the drained pasta to the warm pot (the burner should be turned off). Add the fresh baby spinach and pour the ricotta sauce over top. Slice the cherry tomatoes and add them to the pot as well. Stir until everything is well mixed. Add in the parmesan cheese and stir again. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm!

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Quick tip: Every microwave is slightly different, so your garlic may not be fully roasted in two minutes. Roast in small one-minute increments till you find the right time for your microwave.

Recipe and image courtesy of Budget Bytes