Creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta
A quick and easy pasta dish featuring a bright, creamy ricotta and lemon sauce with fresh basil, perfect for light dinners or brunch.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup fresh basil, sliced or torn
- 1 large lemon, zest and juice separated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of pasta and cook until just al dente (8-10 minutes). Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining. Drain pasta and set aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- In a separate bowl, mix 1 cup ricotta cheese with the zest of 1 lemon and juice of half the lemon (1-2 tablespoons). Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet with garlic oil. Turn off the heat. Spoon in the ricotta-lemon mixture and toss gently to coat. Add reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time to loosen the sauce to desired creaminess.
- Stir in ¼ cup fresh basil and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Toss gently. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil leaves and Parmesan.
Notes
Use room temperature ricotta to avoid clumping. Add pasta water gradually to achieve a silky sauce. Do not overheat ricotta to prevent graininess. Fresh basil should be added at the end to preserve flavor and color.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 18
Keywords: lemon ricotta pasta, creamy pasta, easy dinner, fresh basil pasta, quick pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta