Description
Creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta is a fresh, vibrant, and comforting dish made with silky ricotta, zesty lemon, and tender pasta. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces dry pasta
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, a handful chopped
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Set aside a bowl for mixing the sauce.
- In the bowl, mix ricotta cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, parmesan, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Once the water is boiling, salt it well and add the pasta. Cook until al dente according to package instructions.
- Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the starchy cooking water. Toss the pasta with the ricotta mixture, adding water as needed to create a silky sauce.
- The heat from the pasta gently warms the ricotta, melding flavors beautifully.
- Sprinkle chopped fresh basil and a little more parmesan on top.
- Plate it up while warm and creamy, or chill it for a refreshing pasta salad-style version.
Notes
- Use room-temperature ricotta for smoother mixing.
- Don’t rinse pasta, the starch helps the sauce cling better.
- Adjust lemon and salt before serving for perfect balance.
- Add protein like grilled chicken or shrimp for a heartier meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: lemon ricotta pasta, creamy pasta, quick dinner, vegetarian pasta, lemon pasta recipe