Description
Creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta is a bright and comforting dinner made with silky ricotta cheese, fresh lemon, parmesan, and basil tossed with perfectly cooked spaghetti.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Add the hot pasta directly into the ricotta mixture and toss gently.
- Slowly add reserved pasta water until the sauce becomes creamy and coats the pasta evenly.
- Toss for 1 to 2 minutes until warmed through.
- Top with fresh basil and additional parmesan before serving.
Notes
- Use whole milk ricotta for the creamiest texture.
- Fresh lemon juice gives the brightest flavor.
- Add extra pasta water if the sauce thickens too much.
- Serve immediately for the best creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 63g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 35mg