Name: Irresistibly Easy Ricotta Pasta Recipe: Creamy & Quick Comfort Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 8 oz Pasta – Choose your favorite shape; gluten-free pasta works wonderfully too!; 15 oz Whole-milk Ricotta Cheese – Or substitute with plant-based ricotta for a dairy-free option.; 2 tablespoon Olive Oil – Essential for sautéing garlic.; 2 cloves Garlic – Minced; adjust based on your love for garlic!; ½ cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese – Use vegan Parmesan for a dairy-free twist.; 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest – Brightens the sauce.; 2 tablespoon Lemon Juice – Fresh lemons truly make a difference!; ½ cup Pasta Water – Key for achieving that silky sauce.; Salt – To taste, for seasoning.; Black Pepper – To taste, for seasoning.; ¼ teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes – For a little heat.; ¼ cup Fresh Basil – Great for garnish.; 2 cups Baby Spinach – Stir it in at the end for wilted greens.

Jump to Recipe

Introduction

This irresistibly easy ricotta pasta is a creamy and comforting dish perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you crave something delicious and quick. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a luscious sauce that coats your favorite pasta beautifully.

A white speckled bowl filled with two layers of rigatoni pasta; the base layer shows plain pale yellow rigatoni, and the top layer is covered with a creamy white sauce mixed with small bits of cheese, sprinkled with coarse black pepper and grated cheese, garnished with fresh green basil leaves at the center and scattered small herb fragments. The bowl rests on a white marbled textured surface with a light grey cloth partially under it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

8 oz pasta (your favorite shape; gluten-free works well too)
15 oz whole-milk ricotta cheese (or plant-based ricotta for dairy-free)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (use vegan Parmesan for dairy-free)
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice
½ cup reserved pasta water
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Optional: ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Optional: ¼ cup fresh basil, for garnish
Optional: 2 cups baby spinach, stirred in at the end

Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Step 3: Stir in ricotta and Parmesan cheeses, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix until a creamy sauce forms.
Step 4: Gradually add the reserved pasta water to the sauce, stirring to reach your desired creaminess.
Step 5: Season with salt, black pepper, and optional crushed red pepper flakes. Mix well.
Step 6: Toss the drained pasta into the sauce, coating every piece evenly.
Step 7: If using, stir in baby spinach until wilted. Serve warm, garnished with fresh basil or extra Parmesan.

Tips & Variations

Use gluten-free pasta or plant-based ricotta for dietary preferences or allergies.
Adding baby spinach or other greens boosts nutrition and adds color.
For more zing, increase lemon zest or juice according to taste.
Crushed red pepper flakes add a pleasant spicy touch if you enjoy heat.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet with a splash of water or olive oil to restore creaminess. You can also freeze cooked pasta in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

A white bowl holds a creamy pasta dish composed of three main layers. The bottom layer is short, tubular yellow pasta that looks soft and well-cooked. On top, there is a thick layer of white creamy cheese sauce that covers the pasta evenly but still shows some pasta pieces. The top layer is sprinkled with cracked black pepper and small pieces of green herbs, with three whole fresh basil leaves placed neatly in the center. The bowl sits on a soft light grey cloth on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cheese instead of ricotta?

Ricotta is key to the creamy texture, but you can substitute with cottage cheese blended until smooth or a plant-based ricotta alternative for a dairy-free option. Parmesan adds sharpness, but you can try Pecorino Romano for a saltier profile.

How do I prevent the sauce from becoming too thick or dry?

Reserve pasta water and add it gradually to the sauce until you achieve the desired creaminess. The starchy pasta water helps loosen and bind the sauce to the pasta perfectly.