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Easy Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Easy Lemon Ricotta Pasta
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Easy Lemon Ricotta Pasta is a bright, creamy, and quick pasta dish that combines fresh lemon zest and juice with smooth ricotta cheese. This recipe uses minimal pantry ingredients to deliver a light yet comforting meal, perfect for busy weeknights. The tangy citrus balances the creamy texture to create a deliciously satisfying pasta that’s easily customizable with proteins, veggies, or herbs.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 oz pasta of your choice (spaghetti, penne, rigatoni, linguine)

Sauce

  • 1 cup ricotta cheese (room temperature)
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Seasoning & Herbs

  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (parsley, basil, or thyme), chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add your pasta of choice. Cook until just al dente according to package instructions, reserving a cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. Prepare the Sauce: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute—avoid browning for the best flavor.
  3. Combine Ricotta and Lemon: In a mixing bowl, stir together ricotta cheese, fresh lemon zest, and lemon juice until creamy and smooth, creating the vibrant base of the sauce.
  4. Mix Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with garlic, then reduce heat to low. Spoon in the ricotta-lemon mixture, tossing gently to coat. Add reserved pasta water little by little to loosen the sauce, achieving a silky consistency.
  5. Finish and Serve: Season with salt and pepper to taste, sprinkle chopped fresh herbs on top, and serve immediately for the freshest flavor experience.

Notes

  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce texture and help ricotta cling to pasta.
  • Use freshly grated lemon zest and juice for maximum brightness.
  • Avoid overcooking pasta to keep slightly firm texture for better sauce adherence.
  • Allow ricotta cheese to come to room temperature before mixing for smoother sauce.
  • Add grated Parmesan if desired for extra depth of flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon ricotta pasta, easy pasta recipe, creamy pasta, lemon pasta, quick dinner, vegetarian pasta, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/easy-lemon-ricotta-pasta/