Easy Lemon Ricotta Pasta Done In 20 Min

This Lemon Ricotta Pasta is a quick and easy weeknight dinner recipe. The rich and tangy sauce comes together while the pasta is cooking, so it’s a simple pasta dish that’s done in no time. It has so many things I love – fresh ingredients, tangy fresh lemon juice, creamy ricotta, fresh herbs, a little spice, and of course springy pasta cooked perfectly al dente. It’s a perfect simple summer supper all on its own, or paired with grilled chicken, salmon, steak, just about anything.

Ingredients in Lemon Ricotta Pasta

This light, fresh delicious pasta dish comes together with just a few simple ingredients:

Pasta – I like to use short pasta, like penne or fusilli, for this recipe because it is easier to stir into the sauce. However, I have used longer noodles before and it tastes just as good! Boil the pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions, or until al dente. Then drain and toss with the other ingredients. Olive Oil – You can use other neutral oils like grape seed or avocado oil if needed. I like using extra virgin olive oil for its light flavor that doesn’t overpower the other flavors. Garlic – I always say fresh is best! Make sure to crush your cloves before mincing to maximize the flavor. Lemon Zest & Lemon Juice – Lemon zest is full of tangy, delicious lemon oil and adds so much flavor to the sauce. Red Pepper Flakes – I like to add a little spice to this dish, but you can omit if desired. A little goes a long way, so you can start with just a pinch. Ricotta Cheese – The star player of this sauce, ricotta is a protein-rich, creamy ricotta mixture. Use whole-milk ricotta for best results. You can find it in the dairy section of your grocery store near the cottage cheese and sour cream. Parmesan Cheese – The best parmesan cheese is fresh grated. The pre-grated stuff has a coating on it that will clump up your sauce and won’t give it the best creamy texture. Fresh Basil Leaves and Lemon Slices or Lemon Wedges – Basil and lemon on top just add that extra freshness and color on your plate. Optional: Fresh parsley for garnish.

Variations and Substitutions for Lemon Ricotta Pasta

If you want to change things up a bit with this Lemon Ricotta Pasta recipe, then I have a few suggestions!

You could add greens like spinach or arugula. This pasta also goes great with asparagus and broccoli. I have also garnished bowls of this pasta with cherry tomatoes. While ricotta cheese is a very protein-heavy cheese, you could add more protein with chicken or shrimp.