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Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Fresh Herbs

October 24, 2020 By justalittlebitofbacon Leave a Comment

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Creamy, simple, and on the table in no time flat! I love this recipe for lemon ricotta pasta when I need an easy weeknight dinner. Cook the fettuccine, toss everything together, and done. Dinner is served.

Top view of a blue serving bowl of ricotta pasta topped with herbs.

Hello, all.

This is a meal I started making back in the beginning of the year while we were on lockdown and staying home all the time. A few fresh herbs from my pots, a container of ricotta, and some pasta from the pantry and I was set for dinner.

The name of the game for when I could hardly go to the store was dinner had to either be very simple or very flexible. I did a roundup on pantry meals with substitution ideas while also posting a lot of simple meals like this one.

But you don’t have to be on lockdown and avoiding people to enjoy this creamy, comforting dish! All you need to be is hungry. šŸ˜‰

A wide bowl of fettuccini in ricotta sauce with herbs and red pepper flakes.

What do you need?

  • Pasta – One pound of fettuccine.
  • Ricotta – Use a fresh, whole milk cheese and if you can find one without any stabilizers or gums even better.
  • Herbs/Spices – Fresh basil and milk along with garlic and red pepper flakes.
  • Lemon – About one lemons worth, which is enough to give it some zing.
  • Olive Oil – Extra virgin! This mixes with the cheese and water from the pot to make the sauce.

Ingredients for the recipe.

How to make this

To make lemon and herb ricotta pasta first mix together the cheese with red pepper flakes, lemon, olive oil, and garlic. Then cook the fettuccine and toss the pasta with the sauce and fresh basil.

This is very simple!

  1. Mix together the cheese, olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a large bowl.
  2. Cook the fettuccine and keep about a cup of the water when you drain it.
  3. Add the hot pasta and water to the bowl with the cheese sauce.
  4. TOSS.
  5. Stir in herbs and eat. Done!

Tip: I like to scoop out extra water so that I can adjust the creaminess of the sauce once everything is mixed together.

Step by step on how to make the recipe.

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A fork and spoon dishing out some pasta tossed with a creamy sauce and fresh herbs.

If you try my recipe for Lemon and Herb Ricotta Pasta, I would love to hear from you in the comments with your experience and rating! And I’m happy to answer any questions you might have.

You can connect with me by subscribing to my emails (see the form in the sidebar or below the recipe card), liking my FACEBOOK page, or by following me on PINTEREST.

– Stay Safe, Annemarie

For a quick weeknight meal try my creamy lemon ricotta pasta! This simple cheese sauce mixed with fresh basil and mint will have dinner on the table in minutes. | justalittlebitofbacon.com #pastarecipes #italianfood #easydinners #italian #ricotta
Print Recipe

Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Fresh Herbs

For a quick weeknight meal try my creamy lemon ricotta pasta! This simple cheese sauce mixed with fresh basil and mint will have dinner on the table in minutes.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time20 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: creamy pasta, ricotta sauce
Servings: 6
Calories: 550kcal
Author: justalittlebitofbacon

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, finely minced or shredded
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 12 oz fettuccine, or other pasta
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint

Instructions

  • In a large bowl whisk together the olive oil, ricotta, garlic, and red pepper flakes together.
  • Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until done. Scoop out ~1 cup of the water and drain the pasta.
  • Add the pasta and water to the bowl with the ricotta. Toss together.
  • Sprinkle fresh herbs over and mix in. Serve.

Notes

  • Pasta: I like fettuccine in this recipe, but any variety you have on hand will be great.
  • Ricotta: For the creamiest sauce buy one without any gums or stabilizers. (Note that the dish will tasty either way!)
Two views of creamy pasta in a bowl with text overlay - Ricotta Pasta.
Creamy fettuccine in a serving bowl with text overlay Lemon and Herb Ricotta Pasta.

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Filed Under: 10 ingredients or less, 20 minute meals, italian recipes, main courses, mediterranean recipes, pasta love, quick dinners, recipe, vegetarian, vegetarian mains Tagged With: basil, mint, pasta, ricotta

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Hello, I’m Annemarie

Welcome to my kitchen! I’m a Italian-American girl who loves fresh foods, local ingredients, and all sorts of comfort foods. Here you will find Mediterranean flavors and recipes from a New England perspective.

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