Spread the love

    

A bowl of pasta is always comforting, but when you add a smooth lemon ricotta sauce to it, it becomes something even better

This Lemon Ricotta Pasta is one of those meals that makes you feel good after a long day. It’s also bright and zesty, so it tastes like springtime on a plate.

Save this tasty recipe on Pinterest right now to add to your collection!

When I was a kid, pasta night was a special time in our house. It was an unspoken invitation for everyone to come to the table, tell stories, and laugh over seconds (and sometimes thirds). We loved this dish in the spring and summer. We made it on breezy evenings when the sun stayed out a little longer and we opened the windows to let in the smell of flowers blooming.

The best part about this recipe is how easy it is. You can make something fancy but light in just a few minutes with just a few simple ingredients. This is great for when you want to make a homemade meal that doesn’t take a lot of time. The ricotta makes the sauce creamy and rich, and the fresh lemon juice and zest add just the right amount of tang to make it taste better. You won’t be able to stop thinking about this meal once you try it. It’s al dente pasta with herbs and Parmesan cheese on top.

Save this tasty recipe on Pinterest right now to add to your collection!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Fast and simple: It takes less than 30 minutes to make.
• Creamy ricotta and bright lemon make a comforting yet new dish.
• Family-friendly: Even picky eaters will love this.
• Adaptable: You can easily add vegetables or proteins to it.
• It’s light and satisfying, so you don’t feel weighed down.

INFORMATION:

• Time to get ready: 5 minutes
• Time to cook: 15 minutes
• Time: 20 minutes
• Makes 4 servings.
• Type: Main Course
• How to do it: on the stove
• Food: Italian-inspired
• Vegetarian diet

THINGS YOU’LL NEED:

• 12 ounces of pasta, such as spaghetti, linguine, or your favorite shape
• 1 cup of ricotta cheese made from whole milk
• 1 lemon, with the zest and juice removed
• 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• Two cloves of garlic, chopped finely
• 1/4 cup of the water from the pasta
• To taste, salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
• Fresh parsley or basil to top it off

Step-by-step instructions for making lemon ricotta pasta:

1. 1. Cook your pasta
      First, put a lot of salt in a big pot of water and bring it to a boil. Follow the package directions to cook your pasta until it is al dente. Before you drain the pasta, don’t forget to take out about 1/4 cup of the water. It’s liquid gold for making the sauce thinner.

1. 1. Prepare the sauce with ricotta
      
      Get a big mixing bowl while the pasta cooks. If you’re using them, add the ricotta cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, Parmesan, olive oil, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Mix everything together until it is smooth and creamy. It might seem a little thick, but that’s where the pasta water comes in later to help things loosen up.

1. 1. Mix the sauce and pasta together
      When your pasta is done cooking and still warm, put it right into the bowl with the ricotta mixture. Use tongs or a big spoon to mix everything together gently. If you need to, add a little bit of the reserved pasta water to make a smooth, rich sauce that coats every strand of pasta.

1. Add spices and serve
   Add salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste and mix well. Put it in bowls and top it with some extra Parmesan and a handful of fresh herbs for the last touch of color and brightness.

TIPS THAT MIGHT HELP:

• For the creamiest texture, use ricotta made from whole milk. It makes a big difference.
• Don’t forget the lemon zest! It gives the dish a nice citrus smell that makes it better.
• To make it even more colorful and healthy, add vegetables like spinach, peas, or roasted cherry tomatoes.
• Add grilled chicken or lamb meatballs to make it more filling.
• Let your ricotta sit out at room temperature while the pasta cooks to warm it up a little. This helps it mix in better.

Save this tasty recipe on Pinterest right now to add to your collection.

NOTES:

Fresh pasta is best, but it reheats surprisingly well for lunch the next day. You can make the sauce ahead of time and mix it with freshly cooked pasta right before you serve it if you’re going to serve it at a party.

INFORMATION ABOUT NUTRITION:

(About how much per serving)

• Amount of calories: 425
• 15 grams of protein
• 18 grams of fat
• 50g of carbs
• 2g of fiber
• Two grams of sugar

A lot of people ask:

Is it okay to use ricotta with less fat?
Yes, but it won’t be as thick. This dish really shines with whole milk ricotta.

Is this good when it’s cold?
Yes, surprisingly! When it’s cold and mixed with some fresh vegetables, it makes a great pasta salad.

Is it possible for me to make this gluten-free?
Yes, of course. Just switch out the pasta for your favorite gluten-free kind.

How can I make it vegan?
Skip the Parmesan or use a vegan version and use a dairy-free ricotta alternative.

STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Put any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Add a little water or milk to the sauce when you reheat it to help it loosen up. It tastes great hot or cold.

Save this tasty recipe on Pinterest right now to add to your collection!

CONCLUSION

This Lemon Ricotta Pasta is a must-try, whether you’re making a quick weeknight dinner or something light and pretty to share with guests. It’s simple enough for beginners, fancy enough for special occasions, and so cozy that you’ll want to make it over and over again. Make yourself a sparkling lemonade or iced tea, serve it in a bowl, and let the bright flavors of lemon and creamy ricotta take you to your happy place.

A bowl of pasta is always comforting, but when it’s topped with a smooth lemon ricotta sauce, it becomes something even more special. This Lemon Ricotta Pasta is one of those meals that feels like a warm hug after a long day, but it’s also bright and tangy, like springtime on a plate.

When I was a kid, pasta night was a special time for everyone in our house to come together, tell stories, and laugh over seconds (and sometimes thirds). We loved this dish in the spring and summer, and we often made it on breezy nights when the sun stayed out a little longer and we opened the windows to let in the smell of flowers blooming.

The magic of this recipe is how easy it is. You can make something fancy but light in just a few minutes with just a few simple ingredients. This is great for when you want to make a homemade meal that doesn’t take a lot of time. The ricotta makes the sauce creamy and rich, and the fresh lemon juice and zest add just the right amount of tang to make it taste better. You won’t be able to stop thinking about this meal once you’ve had it. It’s made with al dente pasta and topped with herbs and Parmesan.

Things you need

• 12 ounces of pasta, like spaghetti, linguine, or your favorite shape
• 1 cup of ricotta cheese made from whole milk
• 1 lemon, with the zest and juice removed
• 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1/4 cup of pasta water that you set aside
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
• For garnish, use fresh basil or parsley.

How to do it

1. 1. Bring your pasta to a boil.
      Bring a big pot of water with salt in it to a boil first. Follow the directions on the package to cook your pasta until it is al dente. Before you drain the pasta, don’t forget to take out about 1/4 cup of the water. This water is like liquid gold for making the sauce more flexible.

1. 1. Make the sauce with ricotta
      While the pasta cooks, get a big bowl to mix things in. If you’re using them, add the ricotta cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, Parmesan, olive oil, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Mix everything together until it is smooth and creamy. It might seem a little thick, but that’s when the pasta water comes in to help things loosen up.

1. 1. Mix the sauce and pasta together.
      Put the drained pasta right into the bowl with the ricotta mixture as soon as it’s done cooking. To make a smooth, rich sauce that coats every strand of pasta, use tongs or a big spoon to gently mix everything together. If the sauce gets too thick, add a little bit of the reserved pasta water.

1. Add salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste, then serve.
   Put it in bowls and top it with some extra Parmesan and a handful of fresh herbs to make it look and taste even better.

Notes

This pasta tastes best when it’s fresh, but it reheats surprisingly well for lunch the next day. You can make the sauce ahead of time and mix it with fresh pasta right before serving it if you plan to serve it at a party.

Spread the love