Ricotta and Lemon Basil Pasta
Delight your taste buds with this Ricotta and Lemon Basil Pasta, a vibrant and creamy dish perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. This recipe combines tender pasta with a luscious ricotta cheese sauce infused with zesty lemon juice, fragrant lemon zest, and fresh basil leaves for a refreshing twist. Minced garlic sautéed in olive oil adds an aromatic depth, while optional Parmesan cheese creates a savory finish. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy pasta recipe is a harmonious balance of tangy, herby, and creamy flavors. Serve it as a standalone vegetarian main or pair it with a crisp side salad for a complete meal. Perfect for fans of quick, fresh, and flavorful pasta dishes!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine)
- 1 cup Ricotta cheese
- 1 whole Lemon (juice and zest)
- 1 cup Fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the ricotta mixture. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, the juice and zest of 1 lemon, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Stir until smooth and set aside.
Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant but not browned.
Reduce the heat to low and add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat the pasta in the garlic-infused olive oil.
Add the ricotta mixture to the skillet and gently toss to combine. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Chop the fresh basil leaves and stir them into the pasta just before serving.
Plate the pasta and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1432 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 74.0 g | 95% | |
| Saturated Fat | 32.1 g | 160% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 186 mg | 62% | |
| Sodium | 3520 mg | 153% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 131.0 g | 48% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.8 g | 31% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.1 g | ||
| Protein | 71.9 g | 144% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1745 mg | 134% | |
| Iron | 5.8 mg | 32% | |
| Potassium | 616 mg | 13% | |
*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.
