Description
Creamy lemon ricotta pasta with arugula combines zesty citrus and peppery greens in a quick Mediterranean-inspired dish. Home chefs can craft this elegant meal in under 30 minutes for a refreshing culinary experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) short pasta, like penne or rigatoni
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 cup (100 g) finely grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese, plus more for serving
- 1 tbsp freshly grated lemon zest
- ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice from 1 to 2 lemons
- 2 cups (60 g) arugula
- Basil leaves, thinly sliced or torn (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Chili flakes for serving
- Olive oil for serving
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil water in a large pot, season generously with salt. Cook pasta until al dente, stirring occasionally. Reserve one cup of starchy cooking water before draining.
- Sauce Creation: In the same pot or skillet, blend ricotta, Parmesan, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Season with salt and black pepper. Gradually whisk in reserved pasta water to achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Combining Elements: Add drained pasta to the sauce, tossing vigorously to ensure complete coating. Adjust sauce thickness by incorporating additional pasta water if needed.
- Finishing Touches: Gently fold in arugula leaves, allowing them to soften from residual heat. Transfer to serving dishes, garnishing with extra virgin olive oil, additional Parmesan, red pepper flakes, fresh basil, and lemon wedges for a vibrant, zesty finish.
Notes
- Boost Pasta Water: Save 1 cup of starchy pasta water to create a silky, creamy sauce that perfectly coats each pasta strand.
- Balance Sauce Texture: Whisk reserved water gradually into ricotta mixture to achieve a smooth, luxurious consistency without clumping.
- Wilt Arugula Perfectly: Add arugula off the heat to preserve its peppery flavor and prevent overcooking while maintaining a fresh, vibrant green color.
- Elevate Final Touch: Finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, fresh basil, and red pepper flakes to add layers of flavor and visual appeal.
- Prep Time: 15min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 482
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg