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Pesto Ricotta Pasta Recipe (Vegetarian)

This Pesto Ricotta Pasta recipe is a delicious dinner with a creamy & herby sauce! An easy weeknight pasta recipe, and a great way to use up ricotta cheese.
 
Vegetarian, meatless, and so tasty – a great 20 minute dinner recipe.  Add your favorite veggies to this dish, or enjoy as-is!
 
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This pesto ricotta pasta recipe 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 bright fresh flavors and loads of herbs- 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. You can use homemade pesto (easy recipe below!) or store-bought – both taste great!

This Pesto 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!
 

What’s In This Ricotta Pesto Pasta Recipe?

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!

 

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One Pot Pesto Pasta For the Win!

This ricotta pesto pasta recipe is the perfect one-pot lunch or dinner!  I love a good One Pot Meal, especially during these summer months when I don’t want a lot of burners going at once. Cooking everything in one pot is one of my favorite ways to get a meal on the table fast!  And one pot makes cleaning up a breeze.

The stove does all the work for you, so you can focus on other kitchen prep while the food cooks. One Pot meals are awesome for breakfast, lunch, or dinner – check out my link here to see other healthy one pot meals that are ready in no time!

How Do I Make Pesto Pasta with Ricotta Cheese?

  1. Cook the Pasta.  I used linguine, 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, pesto, 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 and chili flakes.
  3. Taste, and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve with garlic knots and a side salad.

This 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.  Its a healthier trick that using oil to make a sauce more creamy.

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More Easy Vegetarian Pasta Recipes You’ll Love

Mozzarella Alfredo Sauce Recipe (Vegetarian)

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad Recipe (Vegetarian)

One Pot Vegan Alfredo Pasta Recipe (Vegetarian Option)

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Recipe (Vegan)

Sheet Pan Pasta Bake with Mozzarella and Lemon (Vegetarian)

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Dietary Modifications

To make this recipe gluten free, ensure all ingredients you are using are certified gluten free, and always check the labels of ingredients before using.

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

 

As always, if you make this vegetarian pesto 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 recipe recreations!

Let’s keep in touch – make sure to sign up for my newsletter to get fresh recipes weekly. And don’t forget to follow over on Pinterest, Instagram , & Twitter– I’d love to connect with you there!  

pesto ricotta pasta recipe vegetarian gluten free noodles with pesto and ricotta cheese linguine meatless monday pasta ideas no meat ricotta cheese pasta

Pesto Ricotta Pasta

The Herbeevore
This Pesto 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.
5 from 2 votes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dinner, Pasta
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 8
Calories 388 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Cook the Pasta.  I used linguine, 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, pesto, 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 and chili flakes.
  • Taste, and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve with garlic knots and a side salad.

Notes

5-Minute Pesto Recipes

For this recipe you can use homemade or store-bought pesto. Here are a few of my favorite pesto recipes that I have on this site!
Kale Pesto with Walnuts Pasta Recipe (Vegetarian, Gluten Free)
Pumpkin Seed Pesto Recipe
Honey Walnut Pesto Recipe (Gluten Free, Vegetarian)
Beet Green Pesto Recipe (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Balsamic Pesto Sauce (Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
 

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: 388kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 16gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 543mgPotassium: 269mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1505IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 207mgIron: 2mg
Keyword pesto pasta with ricotta cheese, pesto ricotta pasta, ricotta pasta recipes, ricotta pasta with pesto, ricotta pesto pasta recipe, ricotta spaghetti
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Posted in Easy Weeknight Meals, High Protein, Italian, One Pot Recipes, Pastas, The Herbeevore Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes, Winter Recipes

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