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lemon ricotta pasta

Lemon Ricotta Pasta

This Lemon Ricotta Pasta is packed with fresh, delicious flavors and takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish! A perfect vegetarian dish for meatless Monday or any day of the week!
4.88 from 48 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 5 people
Calories 524 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • mixing bowl
  • colander

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb tortiglioni pasta see ingredient notes above for substitutions
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese, full fat
  • 1 lemon, juice and zest
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup grated or finely shredded parmesan freshly grated is best
  • 1 tsp white truffle oil optional
  • pinch of red pepper flakes
  • salt & pepper
  • fresh basil, thinly sliced
  • grated parmesan for serving

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
    Add the pasta and cook until al dente, usually about a minute less than package instructions.
    Turn off the burner and reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Then drain pasta in a colander. (Do not rinse the pasta.)
  • While the pasta is cooking combine ricotta, lemon juice and zest, olive oil, parmesan cheese, truffle oil (if using), a pinch of red pepper flakes and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Stir until well combined.
  • After draining the pasta immediately add back back to the pot and place on the warm (but not lit) burner. Immediately stir in ricotta lemon mixture and about ½ cup of the reserved pasta water.
    Continue to stir over the warm burner for a few minutes until the mixture is heated through and creamy. Add additional pasta water to thin out the sauce if needed. Taste and add additional salt & pepper as necessary.
  • Top the pasta with thinly sliced basil and grated parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingSodium: 160mgSugar: 5.1gFiber: 3gPotassium: 17.6mgCholesterol: 32.9mgCalories: 524kcalMonounsaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.2gSaturated Fat: 7.3gFat: 20.9gProtein: 16.3gCarbohydrates: 67.8g
Keyword basil, Easy, lemon, Parmesan, Pasta, Ricotta
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