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pasta with ricotta and lemon

Lemon Ricotta Pasta (Creamy 15-Minute Recipe)

Silvana Nava
Lemon ricotta pasta is a creamy, fresh, and incredibly easy Italian pasta dish that comes together in just 15 minutes. Fresh ricotta, lemon, Parmigiano Reggiano, and a little pasta water create a silky sauce that coats the pasta beautifully—with no heavy cream needed.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course pasta
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 659 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 350 g bucatini or spaghetti, linguine, or another long or short pasta - 12 oz
  • 250 g whole-milk ricotta cheese - 9 oz
  • 100 g grated Parmigiano Reggiano - 1 cup
  • ½ lemon zest
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 10 fresh basil leaves
  • salt - to taste
  • black pepper - to taste

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season with salt. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, following the cooking time on the package. I like to use thick long pasta such as bucatini or spaghettoni, but spaghetti, linguine, or short pasta work well too.
    Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water.
  • While the pasta cooks, place the fresh ricotta in a large mixing bowl, roomy enough to toss the pasta later. Add the freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano and extra virgin olive oil, then mix until well combined.
  • Add the grated lemon zest and a few torn basil leaves. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Mix until you have a smooth ricotta mixture.
  • Drain the pasta when al dente and transfer it immediately to the bowl while still very hot. Toss well, adding the reserved pasta cooking water a little at a time until the ricotta becomes smooth and creamy and coats the pasta evenly.
  • Serve the lemon ricotta pasta immediately. Finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, fresh basil, freshly ground black pepper, and a little extra lemon zest, if you like.

Nutrition

Serving: 100gCalories: 659kcalCarbohydrates: 69gProtein: 28gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 459mgPotassium: 303mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 476IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 447mgIron: 2mg
Keyword lemon ricotta pasta, lemon ricotta pasta recipe, pasta with ricotta and lemon
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