Easy One Pot Pasta with Ricotta and Lemon

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One Pot Pasta with Ricotta and Lemon

Making one pot pasta with ricotta and lemon is easy and it makes a delicious dinner. This dish is so simple yet tastes fabulous, this just might be one of your new favorite recipes. 

Lemon ricotta pasta two bowls

One Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta

This delicious recipe for lemon ricotta pasta can be made using one pan. This is a delicious pasta recipe that has a hint of lemon, and tastes absolutely delicious, reminding you of sunshine. Let’s be honest, it’s just an all-around tasty recipe. 

Ingredients in this Recipe

Pasta. The type of pasta you use is entirely up to you. We recommend using a type of ribbed pasta, such as Panini, or a short, twisted pasta. Other kinds that you could use include gemelli, rigatoni, or farfalle.

Salt. For the specific recipe, the pasta is cooked in salted water, which helps to flavor the pasta, and pasta water. 

Ricotta. We recommend using whole milk ricotta cheese, so that it is rich and creamy. This can be found at most local grocery stores. 

Parmesan cheese. Grated Parmesan cheese, will also help to flavor this dish. We recommend that you use grated Parmesan rather than shredded. If you need a substitution for grated parmesan cheese, you could use Pecorino Romano cheese. 

Lemon. Lemon in this dish helps to flavor your pasta and enhance all of the flavors that are naturally there as well. We recommend using lemon juice and lemon zest in this recipe. 

Seasonings. To season this dish, salt is included in the pasta water, we also recommend that you include using black pepper, and red pepper flakes to season the pasta sauce before serving. You can also garnish with dried basil leaves for serving. 

How To Make One Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta:

Begin making this dish by adding water and salt to your pot. Place the salt water over high heat and bring the water to a rolling boil. 

When your water reaches a rolling boil, add the pasta and cook until it is al dente. 

Remove one cup of pasta water and set aside. Using a strainer, drain the rest of your water from the pasta. 

Now, using the same pan, with the pasta removed, add ricotta cheese, Parmesan, and both the lemon juice and lemon zest. Start to combine.

Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir once more to combine. 

Slowly pour the cup of pasta, water, that you set aside into your sauce mixture. Whisk until your sauce is smooth.

Pour your drained pasta back into the pan, and stir until it is completely coated in the sauce.  

Transfer it to your serving dish and garnish with dried basil. Serve right away and enjoy! 

lemon ricotta pasta top down

Other Add-Ins For This Creamy Ricotta Dish:

Meats: Meats such as cooked chicken, ham, shrimp, salmon all make delicious add-ins to this pasta with ricotta and lemon. If you’re looking to add a bit of meat to your dish, these are fabulous suggestions. 

Vegetables: You can also add delicious vegetables to your pasta dish. Some of our favorites to add, include spinach, peas, chopped asparagus, zucchini, broccoli, or even peppers. 

Garnishes: Some other garnishes, that you might enjoy adding to this dish, include fresh basil, fresh or dried parsley, cherry tomatoes, as well as other cheeses, such as shredded mozzarella, or even pepper jack. 

Tips and Tricks:

Don’t Overcook Pasta. As with all pasta recipes, it’s important that you are careful to not overcook the pasta. The best way to tell if your pasta is done is to take a bite of one noodle.

If it is no longer crunchy, and tastes, good, then your pasta is done. Go ahead and drain all but a little bit of the pasta water. 

Use Pasta Water. For the best sauce, we recommend that you set aside a cup of the pasta water to include in your sauce. This will help flavor it and give it the perfect texture. 

What to Serve with this Dish

This pasta recipe is a meal in and of itself. However, if you wish to serve other side dishes with this recipe, here are a few of our favorites. Some ideas include serving this pasta with a salad, soup, or your favorite type of bread. 

Storage and Leftovers

Room temperature. Your pasta leftovers should be left at room temperature for no more than two hours before it’s stored in an airtight container in the fridge. If left out any longer, then it’s not considered safe to consume. 

In the fridge. For longer storage of your leftovers, transfer your cold pasta to an airtight container, or seal it in a plastic storage bag. Place in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. 

How to Reheat

There are a few different ways you can reheat your leftover pasta if desired. Below are a few ideas for you. 

In the oven. To reheat the pasta in the oven, preheat your oven to 350°F. Transfer your leftovers to an oven safe baking dish, cover with a lid or aluminum foil, then place into the oven for approximately 15 minutes or until your pasta is reheated.

In the air fryer. Transfer your pasta leftovers into a dish that is safe for your air fryer, then add into your air fryer at 350°F. Air fry for approximately 8 to 10 minutes or until your pasta is warmed.

In the microwave. You can also reheat your leftover pasta in the microwave. Transfer your pasta to a microwave safe dish or plate, and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave for one to two minutes or until your pasta is warmed.

lemon pasta with ricotta and lemon slices

Recipes Variations

One Pot Lemon Butter Ricotta and Zucchini Pasta

Another variation to this recipe is to make your pasta, including butter and zucchini. You can follow the above recipe but only melt ¼ cup of butter in the pan after pasta has boiled. Then add in your cheese and prepare as instructed. 

While your sauce is warming, we recommend that you take a separate pan and fry the zucchini until it is soft. Once the zucchini is tender, go ahead and add it to your sauce. Add in your cooked noodles and stir until all of your pasta is included in the sauce. Enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

This one pot pasta recipe is best served fresh. Although it may be baked in the oven, with shredded cheese on top, after it has been prepared. Our favorite way to enjoy it is freshly made on the stovetop. 

ricotta and lemon pasta from above two bowls

FAQs:

Can I make ricotta pasta in advance?

Yes, this ricotta pasta may be made it in advance, and stored in an oven safe dish with lid in the fridge until you are ready to warm it. Then, when you are ready to warm it, place the dish into a cold oven, heat the oven to 350°F.

Allow the pasta to warm. When it is warm, remove the lid in top with shredded mozzarella or Parmesan cheese. Continue warming until the cheese is melted. Then serve and enjoy.  

What type of pasta can you use to make this lemon and ricotta recipe?

There are many different types of pasta you may choose to make this dish with. Some of our favorites include Panini or short twisted pasta like gemelli. 

Can you make this a lemon pasta recipe with chicken or shrimp?

Absolutely! Adding chicken or shrimp to this recipe is a delicious touch. Simply make sure that your meat is cooked before adding it into the pasta. 

How long do leftovers last?

Any leftovers should be transferred to airtight container, then placed into the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. 

What’s The Best Type of Pasta To Use?

The easiest type of past to use when making this one pot pasta with ricotta and lemon recipe is your regular wheat rotini pasta. However, you can use any type of pasta that you prefer for this recipe.

Can I make this pasta gluten-free?

Yes, you can make this recipe using gluten-free pasta. If you choose to do this, please note, that you will want to just slightly undercook the pasta, especially if you are using rice pasta.

One-Pot Pasta With Ricotta and Lemon

One pot pasta with ricotta and lemon is a very easy recipe. It tastes like you slaved all day. This delicious dish makes for a quick meal, the tastes fabulous with very little hassle.

Plus, you can add other ingredients, such as meat or vegetables to round out the pasta dish and make it into a complete meal. We hope that you will give this recipe a try, and we hope you like it! 

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Faith
Faith Has been cooking and baking for many years! she loves to share her recipes with the world, and hopes you will enjoy them too!

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