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Fresh Lemon Ricotta Pasta

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A quick and easy 15-minute pasta dish combining creamy ricotta, zesty lemon, and fresh herbs for a bright, comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) short pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk ricotta cheese
  • Zest and juice of 1 large unwaxed lemon
  • 1/4 cup (15 grams) chopped fresh basil
  • 2 tablespoons (8 grams) chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 1 tablespoon salt per 4 quarts of water). Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 9-11 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. While pasta cooks, zest and juice the lemon. Chop basil and parsley finely.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Remove from heat.
  4. Reserve 1/2 cup (120 ml) pasta cooking water before draining pasta.
  5. Drain pasta and immediately transfer to the skillet with garlic oil.
  6. Turn heat to low. Add ricotta to pasta and stir gently to combine.
  7. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and half of the chopped herbs. Pour in 1/4 cup (60 ml) reserved pasta water to loosen sauce. Toss until creamy and well coated. Add more pasta water if needed.
  8. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Toss to combine.
  9. Remove from heat and sprinkle remaining herbs on top. Serve immediately with grated Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Do not rinse pasta after draining to keep starch for sauce binding. Use fresh lemon zest for best flavor. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce. Heat ricotta gently on low to avoid curdling. Whisk ricotta with pasta water if very thick before mixing. Avoid overcooking garlic to prevent bitterness.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon ricotta pasta, quick pasta recipe, easy pasta, herb pasta, creamy pasta, 15-minute meal, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/fresh-lemon-ricotta-pasta-recipe-easy-15-minute-herb-pasta-delight/