Pasta with Ricotta Walnut Sauce
Indulge in the creamy, nutty perfection of Pasta with Ricotta Walnut Sauce, a quick and elegant dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. This recipe combines al dente pasta with a luscious sauce made from silky ricotta cheese, toasted walnuts, and a hint of garlic, perfectly balanced with fresh lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil. The toasted walnuts add a delightful depth of flavor, while freshly grated Parmesan and parsley provide a savory, aromatic finish. With just 25 minutes from start to finish, this easy pasta dish is an ideal choice for those who crave comfort food with a gourmet twist. Serve it with a sprinkle of Parmesan and a crack of black pepper for a restaurant-quality experience right at home.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)
- 1 cup Ricotta cheese
- 0.75 cup Walnuts
- 3 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 0.5 cup Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 tbsp Fresh lemon juice
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 0.5 cup Pasta cooking water
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, then reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and drain the rest.
While the pasta cooks, toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are fragrant. Remove from heat and let them cool slightly.
In a blender or food processor, combine the ricotta cheese, toasted walnuts, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen it.
Taste the sauce, and season with salt and black pepper to your liking.
Return the drained pasta to the pot and pour the ricotta walnut sauce over it. Add a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water to help coat the pasta evenly. Gently toss until the pasta is well covered in the sauce.
Serve warm, garnished with freshly chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
603 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 41.3 g | 53% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.6 g | 68% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 57 mg | 19% | |
| Sodium | 1016 mg | 44% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 33.2 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.0 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.5 g | ||
| Protein | 27.2 g | 54% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 507 mg | 39% | |
| Iron | 2.0 mg | 11% | |
| Potassium | 240 mg | 5% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
