Lemon Ricotta Pasta Recipe

A platter of lemon ricotta pasta with a tongs.

No ratings yet

Lemon Ricotta Pasta combines tender pasta with a rich ricotta cheese sauce featuring fresh lemon juice and zest. This creamy pasta dish is a simple yet elegant meal bursting with vibrant flavor!

Course Main Dish, pasta

Cuisine Italian

Keyword lemon ricotta pasta

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Total Time 30

Servings servings

Calories 595kcal

Author Sue Ringsdorf

Ingredients

12 oz. spaghetti noodles
8 oz. full-fat ricotta cheese
4 oz. freshly grated parmesan cheese
2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large lemon - zested and juiced
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper - to taste

Instructions

Prep lemon. Rinse the lemon in cold water and pat dry. Then fully zest it and then juice it.
Grate the parmesan cheese. Use a box shredder to freshly grate the parmesan cheese. This is important so that the cheese melts!
Make ricotta sauce. In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Add salt and pepper to taste, and stir to combine. Spoon the ricotta mixture into a large serving bowl or platter.
8 oz. full-fat ricotta cheese, 4 oz. freshly grated parmesan cheese, 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1 large lemon, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Boil pasta. Boil pasta in a pot of boiling water until al dente. Add plenty of salt to the pasta water for flavor. Reserve one cup of pasta water.
NOTE: Don't overcook the pasta. Watch it closely and cook until al dente (firm to the bite, offering a slight resistance when chewed).
12 oz. spaghetti noodles
Add pasta to ricotta mixture. Use a large tongs to add the cooked pasta directly to the ricotta cheese mixture and combine well. Add reserved pasta water as needed to thin the sauce. (I used at least 1/2 cup of pasta water.)
When adding the pasta water, add a little and toss. Then add a little more and toss again and again until it's creamy to your liking.
Serve pasta. Serve pasta with an extra squeeze of lemon juice and some extra freshly grated black pepper.

Notes

IMPORTANT: Pasta water is rich in starch and salt and is referred to as "liquid gold". This water helps sauces cling to pasta and creates a silky, smooth finish to the dish.
You can add veggies like spinach, peas, or asparagus, or proteins like grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy pancetta.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave, adding a splash of water if needed.

Nutrition