🍳DailyRecipes
Dinner

Lemon Ricotta Pasta

This bright and creamy lemon ricotta pasta is a simple, comforting dinner that comes together in minutes.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 Italian· July 14, 2026
Lemon Ricotta Pasta
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
5 minutes
Cook
10 minutes
Total
15 minutes
Serves
4

Lemon ricotta pasta is one of those meals that feels fancy but is actually incredibly easy to throw together on a busy weeknight. It relies on just a few simple ingredients to create a silky, light sauce that coats every strand of pasta perfectly.

I love this dish because it uses pantry staples that I almost always have on hand. If you want to add a bit of extra protein, feel free to toss in some grilled chicken or white beans right at the end.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound pasta of your choice
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Fresh basil for serving

Instructions

  1. 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente.

  2. 2

    Before draining the pasta, carefully scoop out about half a cup of the starchy pasta water and set it aside.

  3. 3

    In a large bowl, whisk together the ricotta, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth.

  4. 4

    Add the hot drained pasta directly into the bowl with the ricotta mixture.

  5. 5

    Toss the pasta well, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water as needed to create a creamy sauce that coats the noodles.

  6. 6

    Serve immediately with a little extra parmesan and some fresh basil leaves on top.

💡 Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. When reheating, add a tiny splash of water or milk to bring the creamy texture back to life.

#Vegetarian#Dinner#Quick#Pasta

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