Ricotta and Lemon Basil Pasta

Delight your taste buds with this Ricotta and Lemon Basil Pasta, a vibrant and creamy dish perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. This recipe combines tender pasta with a luscious ricotta cheese sauce infused with zesty lemon juice, fragrant lemon zest, and fresh basil leaves for a refreshing twist. Minced garlic sautéed in olive oil adds an aromatic depth, while optional Parmesan cheese creates a savory finish. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy pasta recipe is a harmonious balance of tangy, herby, and creamy flavors. Serve it as a standalone vegetarian main or pair it with a crisp side salad for a complete meal. Perfect for fans of quick, fresh, and flavorful pasta dishes!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine)
• 1 cup Ricotta cheese
• 1 whole Lemon (juice and zest)
• 1 cup Fresh basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the ricotta mixture. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, the juice and zest of 1 lemon, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Stir until smooth and set aside.

Step 3

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant but not browned.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to low and add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat the pasta in the garlic-infused olive oil.

Step 5

Add the ricotta mixture to the skillet and gently toss to combine. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.

Step 6

Chop the fresh basil leaves and stir them into the pasta just before serving.

Step 7

Plate the pasta and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	760.9 grams (760.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1432

Total Fat 74.00g	95%
Saturated Fat 32.10g	161%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 187mg	62%
Sodium 3520mg	153%
Total Carbohydrate 131.00g	48%
Dietary Fiber 8.80g	31%
Total Sugars 4.10g
Protein 71.90g	144%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1745mg	134%
Iron 6mg	32%
Potassium 616mg	13%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.1%

Protein: 19.5%

Carbs: 35.5%