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Lemon Ricotta Pasta Recipe

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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!
 
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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!
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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
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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?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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. 

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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)

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

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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!

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

Lemon Ricotta Pasta

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. A Great one pot pasta with ricotta and lemon!
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 0 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dinner, Pasta
Cuisine American, Mediterranean
Servings 8
Calories 435 kcal

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

Instructions
 

  • 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 435kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 22gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 305mgPotassium: 334mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1154IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 284mgIron: 2mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a rating and comment below, let us know what you loved about it!

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!

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    There is no better meal for me than pasta. I am always searching for variations. This recipe combines my favorites…ricotta cheese and pasta. A perfect combination

5 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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