Description
A quick and creamy weeknight pasta dish that uses blended ricotta and fresh basil to create a luxurious, velvety sauce without heavy cream. It’s a flavor-packed, easy-to-make meal perfect for busy evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb pasta (penne, fusilli, or rigatoni)
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese (small-curd preferred)
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 2–3 cloves fresh garlic
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup reserved starchy pasta water
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente (8-10 minutes).
- Before draining, reserve about one cup of the starchy pasta water and set aside.
- While pasta cooks, add fresh basil, garlic, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes to a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.
- Add ricotta, parmesan, and olive oil to the processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. If too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Drain the pasta (do not rinse) and immediately add it to the bowl with the pesto sauce.
- Toss vigorously to coat every piece. If the sauce is clumpy or dry, add more pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, tossing until glossy and evenly coated.
- Serve immediately, topped with extra parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil, and fresh basil leaves.
Notes
Use whole milk ricotta for best creaminess. Let ricotta sit out for 10 minutes before blending if possible to prevent seizing. Do not over-process basil to avoid bitterness. Reserve pasta water to help emulsify the sauce. Do not freeze this dish as ricotta texture becomes grainy upon thawing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 18
Keywords: ricotta pesto, creamy pasta, quick dinner, weeknight meals, vegetarian pasta, basil pesto, easy recipes, comfort food