Pasta with Ricotta and Lemon 🍋🍝

Pasta with Ricotta and Lemon 🍋🍝

Introduction

Welcome back to the blog, food enthusiasts! Today, I have a delightful pasta dish that’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal yet elegant enough for a special occasion. This Pasta with Ricotta and Lemon combines creamy ricotta cheese, zesty lemon, and a hint of spice for a dish that’s bursting with flavor. Whether you choose to add shrimp or another protein, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. Let’s dive in!

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Ingredients

• 2 tablespoon olive oil (plus more to drizzle on top if desired) 🫒
• 1 lb shrimp (or other type of protein, optional) 🍤
• 8 oz pasta (any kind will work) 🍝
• 1 cup reserved pasta water 💧
• 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese 🧀
• ⅓ cup parmesan cheese, grated 🧀
• 2 tablespoon lemon juice (approx. 1 lemon) 🍋
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (approx. 1 lemon) 🍋
• ½ teaspoon black pepper 🌶️
• ½ teaspoon sea salt 🧂
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasonings 🌿
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes 🌶️
• Chives (optional) 🌿

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Protein (Optional):
   • If you’re adding shrimp or another protein, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
   • Cook the shrimp until they turn light pink. 🍤🔥
2. Cook the Pasta:
   • While the protein is cooking, bring a pot of water to a boil.
   • Cook the pasta al dente according to the package directions. Be careful not to overcook; you want the noodles to remain slightly firm. 🍝⏲️
   • Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water with a measuring cup before straining the pasta.
3. Combine Ingredients:
   • Add the cooked pasta to the same large skillet with the cooked protein.
   • Add the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, black pepper, sea salt, Italian seasonings, and red pepper flakes.
   • Pour in the reserved pasta water.
   • Use a wooden spoon or spatula to toss everything together until the noodles are well coated in the cheese sauce. 🥄🍋🧀
4. Serve:
   • Serve the pasta warm in individual bowls.
   • Drizzle a little olive oil over the top if desired, and garnish with extra black pepper, red pepper flakes, and chopped chives. 🍝🫒🌿

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Cooking Times

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes

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Conclusion

This Pasta with Ricotta and Lemon is a perfect blend of creamy and tangy, with just the right amount of spice to keep your taste buds tingling. It’s quick to make, and you can easily customize it with your favorite protein or enjoy it as a vegetarian dish. Try it out, and don’t forget to share your creations and thoughts in the comments below!

Happy cooking! 🍝🌿🍋

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