Weeknight • Pasta
Speedy Lemon Ricotta Pasta
This creamy, bright pasta dish comes together in a flash, perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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Craving something comforting yet fresh? This lemon ricotta pasta is your answer! It's incredibly simple, uses minimal ingredients, and delivers a burst of flavor that will make you feel like a culinary pro, even on your busiest nights. Get ready to twirl your fork into pure deliciousness!
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 12 oz pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine work great)
- 1 ½ cups whole milk ricotta cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish
Preparation
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of pasta water.
Step 2
While the pasta cooks, in a large bowl, whisk together the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Step 3
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 4
Drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the garlic butter. Add the ricotta mixture to the skillet.
Step 5
Pour in about ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together, adding more pasta water a tablespoon at a time if needed, until a creamy sauce forms and coats the pasta beautifully.
Step 6
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh herbs and extra Parmesan cheese.
Tips
- Don't overcook your pasta! Al dente is key for this dish.
- Whole milk ricotta provides the best creaminess, but part-skim will work in a pinch.
- If you like extra lemon, add a squeeze more juice at the end.
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