Description
A bright and creamy Italian-inspired pasta dish featuring tender peas and a luscious lemon ricotta sauce. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal with fresh, zesty flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (such as spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine)
- 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
Sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole milk)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Reserved pasta water, as needed
Garnish (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Cook pasta and peas: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the peas to the boiling pasta water. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and peas.
- Prepare garlic oil: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Make the sauce: In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and the cooked garlic with its oil. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Toss pasta and sauce: Add the hot pasta and peas to the bowl and toss to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches a creamy consistency.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- For extra richness, stir in a tablespoon of butter or a splash of cream.
- This dish works well with gluten-free pasta.
- Can be served warm or at room temperature.
- Substitute frozen peas if fresh aren’t available.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
