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20-Minute Creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta

A close-up of a generous serving of creamy lemon pasta tossed in a white bowl, topped with lemon zest.
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Make a bright, zesty, and creamy lemon pasta sauce using ricotta cheese and starchy pasta water instead of heavy cream. This recipe is fast enough for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Zest of 1 large lemon
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve at least 1 cup of the starchy cooking water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce base. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  3. Reduce the heat to low. Add the ricotta cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir until just combined.
  4. Add 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to the ricotta mixture and stir until the sauce is smooth. If the sauce seems too thick, add another tablespoon of pasta water until you reach a silky consistency.
  5. Add the drained pasta and the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Toss everything together quickly until the pasta is evenly coated in the creamy sauce. Add more pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, if needed to keep it loose.
  6. Taste and add salt as needed. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use fresh lemon juice only; bottled juice changes the taste.
  • If you prefer a thinner sauce, increase the amount of reserved pasta water you add.
  • You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a slight kick.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://sundayflavor.com/creamy-lemon-pasta-recipe/