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lemon ricotta pasta

A creamy and zesty pasta dish made with fresh lemon, ricotta cheese, and a hint of garlic, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, pasta
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 12 ounces spaghetti or any pasta of choice
Sauce
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese fresh
  • 1 medium lemon zested and juiced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped, for garnish

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
  2. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta in a colander.
Prepare the Sauce
  1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth.
Combine Pasta and Sauce
  1. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the garlic. Pour in the ricotta mixture and toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired creaminess.
  2. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until melted and well combined.
Serve
  1. Serve the pasta warm, garnished with fresh basil and additional parmesan cheese.

Notes

This dish can be customized with added vegetables like spinach or peas for extra nutrition.