Description
A creamy and zesty pasta dish topped with fresh ricotta, lemon, and peppery arugula, perfect for cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or your choice)
- 1 cup fresh ricotta cheese
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2–3 lemons)
- 2 cups arugula
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Prepare the sauce: While the pasta cooks, in a large mixing bowl, combine the fresh ricotta, lemon zest, lemon juice, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix until creamy and smooth.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Once the pasta is done, add it to the bowl with the creamy sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you achieve your desired consistency.
- Stir in arugula: Add the arugula and grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together gently until the arugula is just wilted and incorporated.
- Serve: Plate your pasta and finish with additional Parmesan cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, and fresh basil leaves if desired. Enjoy your dreamy, creamy creation!
Notes
You can prepare the ricotta mixture ahead of time. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg