Zesty Creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta Recipe: Silky Sunshine Delight

Whipping up a delightful lemon ricotta pasta promises pure culinary magic for weeknight dinners.

Soft cheese and bright citrus create an unexpected harmony on your plate.

Comfort meets elegance in this simple yet sophisticated dish.

Mediterranean flavors dance through each forkful, tempting even picky eaters.

Home cooks will adore how quickly this meal comes together.

Minimal ingredients, maximum satisfaction make this recipe a keeper you’ll want to master.

Grab your apron and let’s make something deliciously memorable!

Creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta with a Zesty Kick

• Quickly Satisfy Cravings: This pasta delivers rich, tangy flavors with minimal cooking steps, perfect for busy home cooks craving a delicious meal.
• Create Gourmet Experience at Home: Professional-level dish comes together easily, transforming simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dinner without complex techniques.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows personalization with different herbs, extra protein like grilled chicken, or additional spices to match individual taste preferences.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Creamy texture and bright lemon notes make this dish universally appealing for family dinners, casual gatherings, or quick weeknight meals.

What You’ll Need for This Bright Pasta Dish

• Pasta: A staple ingredient that serves as the base of this creamy and zesty dish.
• Ricotta Cheese: A soft, creamy cheese that provides a rich and smooth texture to the sauce.
• Lemon: Adds a bright, citrusy flavor and freshness to the pasta.

• Parmesan Cheese, Salt, Pepper: Enhance the overall flavor profile with savory and sharp notes.

• Red Pepper Flakes, Fresh Herbs: Provide a subtle heat and aromatic finishing touch to the dish.

• Olive Oil, Pasta Water: Help create a silky, well-coated sauce and adjust the consistency of the dish.

How to Prepare Creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Step 1: Boil Water and Cook Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook until perfectly al dente.

Before draining, carefully scoop out some pasta water into a separate cup. This liquid gold will help create a silky sauce later.

Step 2: Whip Up Creamy Lemon Sauce

• Smooth ricotta cheese
• Grated Parmesan
• Fragrant olive oil
• Bright lemon zest
• Tangy lemon juice
• Pinch of salt
• Dash of black pepper

Whisk these ingredients together until they form a luxurious, creamy mixture.

Step 3: Marry Pasta and Sauce

Pour the steaming hot pasta directly into the lemony ricotta mixture.

Gently toss everything together, ensuring each pasta strand gets coated in the velvety sauce. If the mixture seems too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water to create a lighter, more flowing consistency.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

• Fiery red pepper flakes
• Chopped fresh herbs like basil or parsley

Toss one final time and transfer to serving plates. Enjoy immediately while the pasta is warm and the sauce is creamy.

Helpful Notes for Texture and Flavor

• Add fresh lemon zest for a bright, citrusy punch that elevates the entire dish's flavor profile.
• Use room temperature ricotta to ensure smooth, creamy sauce without lumps when mixing.
• Reserve pasta water as a secret weapon to adjust sauce consistency and help ingredients bind together perfectly.
• Choose high-quality Parmesan cheese for richer, more authentic taste that complements the lemony notes.
• Experiment with different herbs like basil or chives to personalize the pasta and add extra freshness.

Flavor Variations to Try at Home

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace ricotta with silken tofu and nutritional yeast for a vegan-friendly version that maintains creamy texture.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta made from chickpea or rice flour.
• Protein-Packed Variation: Add grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or crispy tofu cubes to boost protein content and create a more substantial meal.
• Herbal Infusion: Experiment with different fresh herbs like basil, tarragon, or chives to create unique flavor profiles that complement the lemony base.

Serving Suggestions for a Light Dinner

• Zesty Brunch Delight: Serve this pasta as a light, refreshing main course during a weekend brunch, paired with a crisp mimosa or fresh citrus juice.
• Elegant Dinner Side: Plate alongside grilled chicken or seared fish for a sophisticated dinner, garnishing with extra lemon zest and basil leaves for visual appeal.
• Quick Lunch Hero: Pack in a portable container for a delicious work or picnic lunch, adding some grilled shrimp or rotisserie chicken for extra protein.
• Vegetarian Comfort Meal: Top with roasted cherry tomatoes and toasted pine nuts to create a satisfying vegetarian dish that feels indulgent and complete.

Storage Tips to Keep It Fresh

• Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Place the pasta in a shallow container to help it cool quickly and prevent bacterial growth.
• Cover the container tightly to maintain freshness and prevent odors from spreading.
• Avoid leaving the pasta at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

FAQs

• What type of pasta works best for this recipe?

Short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or farfalle are ideal because they hold the creamy sauce well and create perfect bites.

• Can I make this dish without fresh herbs?

Yes, you can skip herbs, but they add a fresh, bright flavor that complements the creamy lemon ricotta sauce. Basil or parsley are great options.

• Is this recipe vegetarian-friendly?

Absolutely! This pasta is completely vegetarian and can be easily made with just a few simple ingredients. It’s a great meat-free meal option.

• How can I add more protein to this dish?

You can easily add grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or roasted chickpeas to make the pasta more filling and protein-rich.

Zesty Lemon Ricotta Pasta Recipe

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4.9 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savory creamy lemon ricotta pasta brings zesty Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table. Fresh ingredients and simple techniques create a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)

Cheese:

• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/4 cup pasta water (reserved)

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Instructions

1. Prepare pasta in boiling water until al dente, maintaining a tender yet firm texture, approximately 8-10 minutes. Carefully extract 1/4 cup of starchy cooking liquid before straining.
2. Craft a silky sauce by whisking ricotta, grated Parmesan, extra virgin olive oil, fragrant lemon zest, tangy lemon juice, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper in a spacious mixing vessel.
3. Transfer steaming hot pasta directly into the ricotta mixture, gently folding and coating each strand. If the sauce appears dense, gradually introduce reserved pasta water, creating a luxuriously smooth consistency.
4. Elevate the dish with a sprinkle of fiery red pepper flakes and a generous handful of freshly chopped herbs like basil or parsley, adding vibrant color and aromatic complexity just before serving.

Notes

• Check pasta water salinity to enhance overall dish flavor, as it helps create a more cohesive sauce texture.
• Room temperature ricotta blends smoother, preventing clumpy sauce and ensuring silky consistency.
• Swap regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives for celiac-friendly version without compromising taste.
• Fresh herbs like basil or chives can elevate the brightness of lemon and complement ricotta’s creamy profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 379 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 390 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg