🍝 Creamy Ricotta Pasta
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2–3
🧀 Ingredients:
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8 oz pasta (spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni work well)
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1 cup ricotta cheese (whole milk for extra creaminess)
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1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tbsp olive oil or butter
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Zest of 1 lemon
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Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional)
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Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
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Optional: 1/2 tsp chili flakes or fresh herbs (basil, parsley, or thyme)
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Optional add-ins: sautéed spinach, peas, or cherry tomatoes
👩🍳 Instructions:
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Cook pasta:
Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. -
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). -
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. -
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. -
Serve:
Top with extra Parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil, fresh herbs, or lemon zest.
💡 Tips:
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Add sautéed mushrooms, roasted veggies, or crispy prosciutto for extra flavor.
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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?