Bright Lemon Ricotta Pasta Dish (Printable Version)

Enjoy a bright, creamy dish with lemon, ricotta, peas, and mint.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 350 g (12 oz) pasta such as spaghetti, linguine, or penne

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 cup (150 g) fresh or frozen peas
03 - Zest of 1 lemon
04 - Juice of 1 lemon
05 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced

→ Dairy

06 - 250 g (1 cup) ricotta cheese
07 - 50 g (½ cup) grated Parmesan cheese

→ Herbs & Extras

08 - 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, finely chopped plus extra for garnish
09 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Method:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Add the peas to the boiling pasta water in the last 2 minutes of cooking.
02 - While the pasta cooks, in a large bowl, mix together the ricotta, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, half of the Parmesan, and chopped mint. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
03 - Reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and peas.
04 - Add the hot pasta and peas directly to the bowl with the ricotta mixture. Toss well, adding reserved cooking water a little at a time until the sauce is creamy and coats the pasta.
05 - Serve immediately, sprinkled with the remaining Parmesan and extra mint leaves.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • This dish is a colorful and refreshing take on pasta that will make you feel like you’re dining al fresco in the sun.
  • It’s incredibly easy to whip up, making it perfect for last-minute gatherings or a cozy night in.
02 -
  • The first time I made this, I tried to drown the pasta in the sauce, only to realize less is more.
  • Using fresh mint versus dried mint makes a world of difference in brightness.
03 -
  • Cooking the pasta until al dente ensures it holds its shape and texture.
  • For an ultra-creamy sauce, blend the ricotta with a touch of pasta water.
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