Description
Creamy ricotta, fresh lemon, Parmesan, and perfectly cooked pasta create a simple, elegant Italian-inspired meal bursting with bright, comforting flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb. (450 g) spaghetti or linguine
- 1 cup (250 g) whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 cup (100 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Zest of 1 large lemon
- 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- Salt for pasta water
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or parsley
- 1/2 cup reserved hot pasta water
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the ricotta, Parmesan, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Add the hot drained pasta directly to the ricotta mixture.
- Toss well while gradually adding the reserved pasta water until a silky sauce forms.
- Taste and adjust with more Parmesan, lemon juice, salt, or pepper if needed.
- Stir in chopped basil or parsley.
- Garnish with extra Parmesan, lemon zest, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Serve immediately while hot and enjoy.