Ricotta Walnut Sauce for Pasta Lighter Version
Transform your pasta nights with this creamy yet guilt-free Ricotta Walnut Sauce for Pasta – Lighter Version! This velvety sauce combines the nutty richness of toasted walnuts with the light, tangy creaminess of part-skim ricotta cheese, perfectly balanced with a splash of fresh lemon juice and a touch of olive oil. Ready in just 15 minutes, this easy recipe offers a healthier twist without sacrificing flavor, thanks to the minimal use of oil and the wholesome ingredients. Toss it with your favorite pasta, and finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan and fresh parsley for a restaurant-quality dish you can feel good about. Perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing at your next gathering, this lightened-up ricotta walnut pasta sauce is sure to become a new family favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Part-skim ricotta cheese
- 0.5 cup Walnuts
- 1 clove Garlic
- 2 tablespoons Fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 3 tablespoons Grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.25 cup Water
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn them. Remove from heat and let them cool.
In a food processor, combine the walnuts, garlic, part-skim ricotta cheese, lemon juice, olive oil, grated Parmesan, water, salt, and black pepper.
Blend the mixture until smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add an additional tablespoon of water, one at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings if needed.
Cook your choice of pasta according to the package instructions. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
Toss the cooked pasta with the ricotta walnut sauce, adding a bit of the reserved pasta water as needed to help coat the pasta evenly.
Serve immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
931 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 77.7 g | 100% | |
| Saturated Fat | 20.9 g | 104% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 29.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 115 mg | 38% | |
| Sodium | 2040 mg | 89% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 23.6 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.4 g | 16% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.4 g | ||
| Protein | 43.5 g | 87% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 840 mg | 65% | |
| Iron | 2.9 mg | 16% | |
| Potassium | 620 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.
