A quick and creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta ready in 15 minutes! Light, zesty, and satisfying, perfect for weeknight dinners. Simple ingredients, fresh flavor, and endless add-ins.
Easy Lemon Ricotta Pasta – A Bright & Creamy Dinner You’ll Love
Some recipes instantly become your “I’m too tired to cook but still want something delicious” lifesavers, and this Easy Lemon Ricotta Pasta is exactly that. It’s bright, creamy, comforting, and surprisingly light. Best of all? You can whip it up in the time it takes your pasta to boil. This is one of those meals that feels like something you’d order at a cozy neighborhood café, but it’s simple enough for even the laziest weeknight.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
There’s something magical about how the ricotta and lemon work together. The ricotta gives you that velvety, cloud-like creaminess without any heaviness, while the lemon cuts through with a fresh, sunny lift. The result? A bowl of pasta that tastes luxurious but not overwhelming.
If you enjoy feel-good meals that don’t require a long grocery list or complicated steps, this dish will quickly become one of your regulars.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty here is how few ingredients you need:
- Your favourite pasta shape
- Ricotta cheese
- A little cottage cheese for extra creaminess
- Fresh Parmesan
- Lemon zest + lemon juice
- Garlic
- Salt
- A splash of pasta water (the secret to silky sauces!)
How to Make Lemon Ricotta Pasta
1. Boil your pasta.
Salt the water generously. This tiny step makes a difference in simple dishes like this.
2. Blend the sauce.
Pop the ricotta, cottage cheese, Parmesan, lemon juice, zest, garlic, and salt into a blender. Let it run until the mixture looks creamy and dreamy. Taste it, adjust the lemon if you want more zing.
3. Toss everything together.
Add the sauce to your warm pasta and pour in some of the reserved pasta water. This is where the magic happens. The starch loosens the sauce just enough to make it glossy and clingy.
4. Serve immediately.
Top with Parmesan or fresh herbs and enjoy while it’s warm and silky.
Customise It Your Way
This dish is a blank canvas, making it perfect for creativity. Try adding:
- Grilled chicken or shrimp
- Sautéed mushrooms
- A handful of spinach
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- A spoonful of basil pesto
- Peas or roasted vegetables
It transforms beautifully depending on what you’re craving.
Tips for the Best Results
- Don’t skip the fresh lemon zest; it adds an unmatched aroma.
- Stir in pasta water gradually so you don’t end up with a thick sauce.
- If you enjoy a bit of spice, a pinch of red pepper flakes works wonders.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the creamiest texture.
Serving Ideas
This pasta pairs wonderfully with:
- A simple green salad
- Garlic bread
- Lemon roasted chicken
- Steamed veggies
- Roasted zucchini or asparagus
Your New Weeknight Favorite!
You’ll love how effortless it is, and your family or guests will think you cooked something far more complicated. Win-win.
Looking for more easy fresh and vibrant meals? Check out my Delicious Golden Crispy Herbed Potatoes with Lemon Feta Dip in 4 easy steps
