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Lemon Ricotta Pasta – Only 5 ingredients and ready in 10 minute or less! This super quick and straightforward lemon ricotta pasta recipe brings together a host of delicious flavors and textures, especially ricotta mixed with lemon zest. Add some rotisserie chicken and make it a complete meal. If you love fresh and creamy pasta ready in no time, inexpensive, and kids approved, this lemon ricotta pasta recipe is for you! Enjoy!
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Ingredients list for the Lemon Ricotta Pasta
- 1lb (450g) macaroni pasta
- 1-1/2 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 4-1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 lemons, zested
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Directions
1. To make the lemon ricotta pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook al dente, according to package direction. Drain pasta, reserving 3/4 cup of the cooking water.
2. In the same pot, stir together ricotta, olive oil, garlic, and zest of 1 lemon. Add cooked macaroni to the ricotta mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Add reserved cooking water if needed to thin up the texture.
3. Divide the lemon ricotta pasta among 6 bowls or plates. Zest remaining lemon on top of pasta, add a drizzle of olive oil and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Tips for the lemon ricotta pasta recipe
This lemon ricotta pasta is the perfect spring/summer dish. It’s fresh, lemony, and light and everyone who tastes it falls in love instantly!
- To prevent cooked macaroni from sticking together, wait until the water is at a full, rapid boil before adding the pasta. Then stir the pasta as it cooks, and continue stirring every 2-3 minutes to make sure the pasta cooks evenly without sticking to the bottom.
- Keep pasta al dente because they will soak up a bit of the ricotta sauce.
- This recipe also works well with whole-wheat or gluten-free pasta.
How to serve the lemon ricotta pasta?
While this pasta recipe is wonderful on its own, nothing prevents you to add some grilled chicken, salmon or shrimp and make it a complete meal!
What other pasta shapes can we use?
You can use any type of pasta, but we advise you to opt for a short pasta shape that holds well the sauce. Rotini or shells would make great options!
More pasta recipes you might like
- Parmesan Spinach Mushroom Pasta Skillet
- Instant Pot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- 20-Minute Sausage Pasta Skillet
- Tomato Spinach Sausage Pasta
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
