Name: Lemon Ricotta Pasta
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 lb rigatoni (use gluten free if needed, reserve 2 cups cooking water); 4 cups ricotta cheese; 2 large lemons (juiced); 1 bunch fresh parsley; 2/3 teaspoon Sea Salt; 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.

Jump to Recipe Watch Video

This lemon ricotta pasta recipe is light, creamy, flavorful, and packed with vegetarian protein! A fantastic pantry staple weeknight dinner, and great to meal prep for the week.

Vegetarian, meatless, and easily made gluten free – a great 20 minute dinner recipe. Add your favorite veggies to this dish, or enjoy as-is!

one pot pasta with ricotta and lemon rigatoni recipe without tomatoes creamy lemon ricotta cheese pasta noodles with lemon and cream sauce recipe no heavy cream

Table of Contents

This one pot pasta with ricotta and lemon is THE best weeknight pasta with only a few ingredients! It’s creamy, dreamy, and ready in just 20 minutes.

I am all about simple weeknight dinners with only a few ingredients – and this pasta fits the bill. It’s great as a side dish, or as a main course with a salad and some easy garlic knots. This is one meal that everyone at the table will love.

This Lemon Ricotta Pasta Recipe Is:

Bright
Citrusy
Creamy
Packed with Flavor
Loaded with protein
An awesome way to use extra ricotta: you can use store bought ricotta, or a vegan ricotta too!

meatless ricotta pasta without tomatoes creamy lemon pasta rigatoni without meat recipes vegetarian gluten free noodles

What’s In This One Pot Pasta with Ricotta and Lemon?

Be sure to visit the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and recipe instructions!

Rigatoni – you can use regular rigatoni made with wheat flour, or use a gluten free rigatoni. I love using a thick pasta for this recipe, as it’s great with the bright citrusy and creamy sauce.
Ricotta Cheese – this creamy and irresistible ricotta cheese is a fantastic base layer for this toast! I’ll also include a vegan version in the recipe card below if you don’t eat dairy… but if you DO eat dairy I’d highly recommend this delicious whole milk ricotta.
Fresh lemon juice
Pink Himalayan Sea Salt
Garlic Powder: Also a major pantry staple ingredient that gets used in our house daily! I love this garlic powder and add it to a lot of recipes that I would use fresh garlic in too.
Black Pepper

lemon ricotta pasta recipe vegetarian gluten free 20 minute dinner recipes with pasta and cheese family friendly kids will love

20 Minute Dinner Recipes for the Win!

This lemon ricotta pasta recipe is what I call an Easy Weeknight Meal – which is on your table in about 20 minutes. These quick and simple recipes are perfect for those nights when you want a quick homecooked meal but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

Browse our Easy Weeknight Meals, that are great for the whole family. From soups and stews, to pastas and proteins – a tasty meal can be on your table in no time. Even faster than ordering takeout!

How Do I Make This Lemon Ricotta Pasta?

Cook the Pasta. I used rigatoni, but whatever pasta shape you choose to use, just cook it to package instructions. Reserve 2 cups of the cooking water to use later in the sauce. Drain the rest of the water, and set pasta aside.
Place the pot with the drained pasta back on the stove and simmer over low heat. To the drained pasta, add the ricotta, parsley, and lemon juice. Slowly stir in 1 cup of the pasta cooking liquid to thin the sauce as desired. Add more water if you want a thinner sauce. Add salt and pepper.
Taste, and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve with garlic knots and a side salad.

This vegetarian ricotta pasta also uses the trick of thickening a sauce with pasta water. I always do this with my pesto sauces too: add a ladle full of the cooking water from the pasta (make sure you don’t drain it all!) to the sauce, and the pasta will become thick, luscious, and decadent.

ricotta pasta with lemon recipe vegetarian meatless pastas with cheese ricotta noodles with lemon juice parsley garlic salt and pepper

More Creamy Vegetarian Pasta Recipes You’ll Love

Mozzarella Alfredo Sauce Recipe (Vegetarian, Gluten Free)

Hummus Pasta Sauce Recipe with Lemon (Vegan, Gluten Free)

Creamy Cucumber Pasta Salad Recipe (Vegan & Gluten Free Options)

Gluten Free Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Recipe (Vegan)

Sheet Pan Pasta Bake with Mozzarella and Lemon (Vegetarian)

vegetarian ricotta pasta noodles with lemon and garlic easy fast 20 minute dinner ideas with ricotta cheese and noodles pastas for kids and adults fancy ricotta noodles

Get the Same Ingredients for this One Pot Vegetarian Lemon Ricotta Pasta Recipe

Let’s connect on social!

If you made this recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!