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Lemon Ricotta Pasta Recipe

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?

I cook with fresh produce from my garden and from Misfits Market– they sell fantastic fruit, vegetables, & pantry staples at a discounted price. We get Misfit boxes every other week and love picking out favorite produce for delivery. Get $10 off your first box here!

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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. I have a whole section of The Herbeevore dedicated to 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

If you make this easy ricotta lemon pasta recipe be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe, and tag me @theherbeevore on Instagram so I can feature you.  I love seeing all your photos of my recipes!

Let’s keep in touch – subscribe to my monthly newsletter to get free recipe inspiration. 

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

Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Kelly Jensen
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
  

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.

Notes

Save Money on Organic Produce!

I get all the fresh produce for my recipes from my garden and from Misfits Market – they sell all organic produce at a super discounted price, and it’s purchased direct from the farmers. We get Misfit Market boxes every other week and love picking out our favorite seasonal produce for delivery.  You can get $10 off your first $30 box by clicking here! 
If you think organic produce is too expensive… think again, and give Misfits Market a look!

Nutrition

Calories: 435kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 22gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 305mgPotassium: 334mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1154IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 284mgIron: 2mg
Keyword lemon ricotta pasta, lemon rigatoni with ricotta cheese, meatless ricotta pasta recipe, one pot pasta with ricotta and lemon, pasta without tomatoes, ricotta pasta no tomatoes, ricotta pasta with lemon, ricotta rigatoni recipe, vegetarian ricotta pasta recipe
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Posted in American, Dinners, Easy Weeknight Meals, Gluten Free, Italian, One Pot Recipes, Pastas, The Herbeevore Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes, Winter Recipes

1 Comment

  1. Susan

    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

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