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    Home » Recipes

    Easy Pasta with Ricotta and Lemon

    June 17, 2022 by Patti Estep 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    Large saucepan with lemon ricotta pasta.
    Pan of lemon ricotta pasta over ingredients like, lemons, parsley, pasta, ricotta cheese.

    Here's a great lemon ricotta pasta that's a fresh change from your typical tomato based pasta and can be made in one pot for an easy dinner.

    Large saute pan filled with pasta and a lemon ricotta sauce.

    I really love the flavor of lemons. I've made lemon rice, lemon zest salt, and lemon chicken orzo soup in the past, and today I'm using lemons with ricotta cheese to make a delicious pasta dish.

    Italian flat-leaf parsley, box of campanelle pasta, lemons, Parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, olive oil and spices.

    Making Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    Only a few basic fresh ingredients are required. You can even make your own homemade ricotta cheese if you want, however, store-bought is just fine. I chose campanelle pasta for this recipe but you can use penne, fusilli, or simply spaghetti for this recipe.

    Lemon and ricotta pasta sauce cooking on the stove.

    Outside of cooking the pasta in a pot, this is all made in one large saute or saucepan. While the pasta is cooking you make the lemon ricotta sauce.

    A basket lifting pasta out of boiling water directly into a pan with lemon ricotta sauce.

    Then you toss the pasta into the mixture bringing some of the pasta water with it. In fact, you may want to add a little extra pasta water to get the sauce just where you like it.

    Large wok like pan with campanelle pasta and lemon ricotta sauce.

    Fresh, flat leaf Italian parsley is added to the end. It really adds a nice brightness to the dish.

    Variations and Substitutions

    • Get your veggies in by adding some greens like spinach or arugula. Or simply add some cooked vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, peas, or zucchini. The added green color will be a feast for the eye as well as the palate.
    • Add some protein such as grilled chicken or shrimp
    • Use different types of pasta long or short
    • Use different types of fresh herbs like basil or fresh oregano instead of parsley.
    • Substitute Romano or Asiago cheese for Parmesan
    Small white bowl with lemon ricotta pasta, extra Parmesan and a lemon wedge.

    Don't forget to offer fresh lemon wedges and plenty of extra grated Parmesan cheese when serving.

    Patti signature

    More Pasta Recipes Without Red Sauce

    • Seafood Alfredo Pasta
    • Roasted Ratatouille Pasta
    • Greek Pasta Salad with Feta Cheese
    • Spaghetti with Clam Sauce
    • Pasta Primavera
    Bowl of lemon ricotta pasta with a wedge of lemon and extra Parmesan cheese.
    Large pan of lemon ricotta pasta.

    One Pot Pasta with Ricotta and Lemon

    This delicious pasta with lemon and ricotta can easily be made in one pot for an easy any day of the week dinner.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Dinner Recipes
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 466 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound pasta
    • 1.5 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese plus extra for the table
    • 1 large clove of garlic minced
    • 2 lemons juice and zest
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • pinch of red pepper flakes
    • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped Italian parsley

    Instructions
     

    • Boil the pasta.
    • While the pasta is cooking saute garlic in the olive oil in a large saucepan.
    • Once it starts to sizzle add the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Stir well.
    • Remove from heat and add the lemon juice and zest and stir to combine.
    • As soon as the pasta is al dente remove it from the water and directly into the saucepan.
    • Add up to a cup of the pasta water if necessary to get a nice sauce.
    • Mix in parsley and serve with extra Parmesan cheese and lemon wedges.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 466kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 21gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 380mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2g

    Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although attempts have been made to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marie Shea

      June 17, 2022 at 3:47 pm

      Patti,
      It looks very tastey, will make tonight my husband and son will lo ve it.
      You have so many great ideas ,I look forward to seeing what you next will be. I hope all is well with you and your family have a wonderful summer and stay safe.
      Sincerely,
      Marie Shea

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        June 18, 2022 at 7:20 am

        Thank you Marie. I hope you and your son love it!

        Reply

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