Ricotta pasta

Here’s a creamy, comforting, and super simple Ricotta Pasta recipe—perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that feels indulgent but comes together in minutes.

🍝 Creamy Ricotta Pasta

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2–3

🧀 Ingredients:

• 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni work well)

• 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole milk for extra creaminess)

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter

• Zest of 1 lemon

• Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional)

• Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• Optional: 1/2 tsp chili flakes or fresh herbs (basil, parsley, or thyme)

• Optional add-ins: sautéed spinach, peas, or cherry tomatoes

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Cook pasta:
   Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.

2. Sauté garlic:
   While pasta cooks, heat olive oil or butter in a pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute—don’t brown it).

3. Mix the sauce:
   In a bowl, whisk together ricotta, Parmesan, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. If you like spice, add chili flakes too.

4. Combine:
   Add cooked pasta to the pan with garlic. Remove from heat. Stir in the ricotta mixture and a splash of reserved pasta water until smooth and creamy. Add more water as needed for a looser sauce.

5. Serve:
   Top with extra Parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil, fresh herbs, or lemon zest.

💡 Tips:

• Add sautéed mushrooms, roasted veggies, or crispy prosciutto for extra flavor.

• For a baked version, transfer to a dish, sprinkle with mozzarella or breadcrumbs, and broil until golden.

Would you like a baked ricotta pasta, or maybe a vegan version?