Lemon Ricotta Pasta
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A creamy, flavor-packed Lemon Ricotta Pasta is the perfect summer pasta recipe when you’re craving comfort food with a twist. It’s bright and tangy, with salty Parmesan cheese and a hit of garlic and black pepper. Flavorful enough for foodies but familiar enough for picky eaters.
Pasta Recipe with Lemon and Ricotta
I think my Italian genes skipped a generation.
While my dad and daughter can eat pasta every day and never get sick of it, I could quite honestly go a full year and not miss it (except for maybe my baked mac and cheese)… but honestly, if I tried that, I think she’d stage a one-woman protest.
So, I try to come up with unique and interesting ways to serve up pasta to keep us both happy (as evidenced by the over 50 pasta recipes on this blog). Recently, I made my own ricotta cheese for the first time and had a LOT to use up, so I thought, why not make a pasta sauce with it?
The result was this creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta that is both rich and bright, striking the perfect balance of comfort food and light, summer freshness. A generous addition of nutty, salty Parmesan cheese cuts through the tang of the lemon and ricotta, while garlic and pepper add warmth and bite.
You can enjoy it as-is for a light summer meal or serve with grilled meats, roasted veggies or a side salad for a more hearty dish.
Our lemon ricotta pasta is a quick, creamy pasta recipe made with ricotta cheese, fresh lemon zest and Parmesan for a light yet satisfying meal. Perfect for weeknight dinners or easy entertaining, it comes together in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients.
Why You’ll Love This Lemon Ricotta Pasta Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Lemon Ricotta Pasta Recipe - Fast and approachable pasta recipe with minimal ingredients.
- Creamy texture without heavy cream.
- Bright lemon flavor that keeps it fresh and balanced.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, in a pinch you can use cottage cheese. First, drain the cottage cheese to remove the excess whey/liquid. Then whip up the curds that remain with a hand mixer before using in this recipe. It will have a slightly tangier flavor than ricotta.
You can alternatively make your own ricotta cheese with just whole milk and lemon juice – just be sure to drain it really well before using in this recipe.
While we used shells for this recipe (conchiglie), you can use any pasta shape that will allow the ricotta to cling to it – like rigatoni, spiral noodles, etc.
Use full-fat ricotta and avoid overheating it. Add pasta water gradually to emulsify.
It is best fresh, but you can prep ingredients in advance. Reheat gently with added pasta water.
Add zest first, then taste before adding more. A small squeeze of juice can be added at the end if needed.
Lemon Ricotta Pasta Ingredients
Lemon Ricotta Pasta Ingredients- Pasta, uncooked
- Olive Oil
- Minced Garlic
- Ricotta Cheese
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Lemons, as desired
- Salt and Pepper
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
- Pasta Pot
- Colander
- Skillet or Saucepan
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula
- Micropane Grater/Citrus Zester
How to Make Pasta with Ricotta and Lemon
How to Make Pasta with Ricotta and LemonPrepare the pasta according to package directions. Before draining off the water, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water to use as needed in the ricotta sauce.
In a skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil.
Once hot, add the garlic and cook 1 minute. Add the drained pasta and ricotta and a few tablespoons of the pasta water.
Cook and stir for 4 minutes until water is incorporated and ricotta coats the pasta evenly. Add additional pasta water as needed to prevent the ricotta from burning. (You can also turn the heat to low.)
Add the Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, salt and pepper, to taste. Stir well and serve immediately.
Makes 4 servings.
Lemon Ricotta Pasta Recipe Variations:
- Add Veggies: Add sautéed spinach or kale for added nutrients, or crunchy veggies like broccoli, bell peppers, etc.
- Add Protein: Toss in grilled chicken, shrimp, diced steak or crispy pancetta.
- Add Nuts: Finish with toasted pine nuts or walnuts for subtle crunch.
- Add Spice: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for gentle heat.
Tips for the Perfect Pasta with Ricotta and Lemon
- Use whole milk ricotta for the smoothest, creamiest consistency. Low-fat versions tend to be grainy.
- Reserve more pasta water than you think you need. It helps adjust texture and keeps the sauce glossy.
- Zest lemons directly over the skillet to capture the aromatic oils.
- Grate Parmesan fresh rather than using pre-shredded for better melting and flavor.
- Cook garlic gently and briefly to avoid bitterness. It should be fragrant, not browned.
More Perfect Pasta Recipes
Pin this Simple Ricotta Pasta with Fresh Lemon Flavor:
Pin this Simple Ricotta Pasta with Fresh Lemon Flavor:
Printable Recipe Card:
Printable Recipe Card:Grab your free printable recipe card for our Lemon Ricotta Pasta recipe.
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Lemon Ricotta Pasta
Lemon Ricotta Pasta is both rich and bright, striking the perfect balance of comfort food and light, summer freshness. A generous addition of nutty, salty Parmesan cheese cuts through the tang of the lemon and ricotta, while garlic and pepper add warmth and bite.
Ingredients
- 3 cups Pasta, uncooked (12 oz)
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Minced Garlic
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese
- 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Zest of 1-2 Lemons, as desired
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta according to package directions. Before draining off the water, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water to use as needed in the ricotta sauce.
- In a skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil.
- Once hot, add the garlic and cook 1 minute. Add the drained pasta and ricotta and a few tablespoons of the pasta water.
- Cook and stir for 4 minutes until water is incorporated and ricotta coats the pasta evenly. Add additional pasta water as needed to prevent the ricotta from burning. (You can also turn the heat to low.)
- Add the Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, salt and pepper, to taste. Stir well and serve immediately.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 480Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 348mgCarbohydrates: 65gFiber: 3gSugar: 1gProtein: 23g
Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.
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