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Quick Creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta

A close-up of a serving of creamy lemon pasta, coated in a rich sauce and topped with fresh parsley and lemon zest.
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Make this bright, zesty, and comforting pasta in under 20 minutes. This easy recipe achieves a silky sauce using ricotta and pasta water, avoiding heavy cream for a light yet satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz linguine or spaghetti
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve at least 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta.
  2. While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce base. In a small skillet, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant; do not let it brown. Remove from heat.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Whisk until smooth.
  4. Add the garlic-butter mixture to the ricotta mixture. Stir well to combine.
  5. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved hot pasta water to the ricotta mixture. Whisk vigorously until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce seems too thick, add more pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach a velvety consistency.
  6. Add the drained, hot pasta directly to the bowl with the sauce. Toss quickly and thoroughly until every noodle is coated in the silky sauce.
  7. Season generously with salt and black pepper to your taste.
  8. Serve immediately, topped with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use the liquid gold of the pasta water sparingly at first; the starch is what emulsifies the sauce.
  • If you want to add protein, toss in pre-cooked grilled chicken breast during the final mixing step.
  • This recipe is vegetarian and uses pantry staples for a fast meal solution.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://bringdish.com/creamy-lemon-pasta-recipe-under-20-mins/