Description
Lemon Ricotta Pasta is a creamy delight combining the richness of ricotta cheese with the fresh taste of lemon and basil, perfect for a quick meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup pasta water
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually around 8 to 10 minutes.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant.
- Add the ricotta cheese to the skillet with the garlic, stirring to combine.
- Grate the Parmesan cheese into the skillet and mix it into the ricotta until smooth and creamy.
- Zest the lemon and add the zest to the skillet, stirring to incorporate it into the ricotta mixture.
- Juice the lemon and add the juice to the skillet, continuing to stir until the mixture is smooth and evenly mixed.
- Season the ricotta mixture with salt and black pepper, stirring until the seasoning is evenly distributed.
- Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water and set it aside.
- Drain the pasta, making sure to shake off any excess water.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the ricotta mixture, tossing to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce.
- Gradually add the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, to thin the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Once the pasta is well coated and the sauce is creamy, remove the skillet from the heat.
- Stir in the fresh chopped basil to add a burst of color and freshness.
- Serve the pasta immediately, garnishing with additional basil if desired.
Notes
- To ensure the sauce is creamy, make sure to stir the ricotta mixture continuously while adding the lemon juice.
- Reserve extra pasta water in case the sauce needs more thinning.
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor, and add it at the end to maintain its bright color.
- For extra richness, try adding a small dollop of mascarpone or cream to the ricotta mixture.
- If you prefer a tangier flavor, add more lemon juice or zest according to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 30mg