Lemon Basil Ricotta Pasta (Printable)
Creamy ricotta blends with lemon and basil for a vibrant, satisfying pasta; quick, easy, and full of fresh flavor.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz dried pasta such as spaghetti, linguine, or penne
02 - Salt for pasta water
→ Ricotta Mixture
03 - 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
04 - Zest of 1 lemon
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
06 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
09 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
→ To Finish
11 - 1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn or sliced
12 - Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving
13 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
14 - Lemon wedges (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water; then drain pasta thoroughly.
02 - While pasta cooks, combine ricotta cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, grated Parmesan, olive oil, garlic, black pepper, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
03 - Add hot, drained pasta directly into the ricotta mixture. Toss well to coat, slowly incorporating reserved pasta water until the sauce achieves a silky consistency that envelops the noodles.
04 - Gently fold in the fresh basil leaves until evenly distributed.
05 - Serve promptly, topped with extra Parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil, additional black pepper, and lemon wedges if desired.
# Expert Hacks:
01 -
- Uses simple pantry ingredients and fresh produce
- Ready in under 30 minutes for fast weeknights
- Creamy and tangy sauce without heavy cream
- Vegetarian and adaptable for food allergies
02 -
- Great source of protein for vegetarian meals
- Easy to make gluten-free with your favorite pasta alternative
- The sauce holds well and does not separate
03 -
- Always reserve pasta water—starch is your magic ingredient for rich emulsified sauce.
- For the biggest flavor burst zest lemon right over the bowl so the essential oils land in your mixture. I learned after a few bland attempts to always taste and adjust lemon quantity—you can easily add more zest for brightness or extra Parmesan for warmth.