Lemon Pasta with Ricotta and Peas (Printable View)

A vibrant dish with ricotta, peas, and lemon.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz pasta (such as spaghetti, linguine, or penne)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
03 - Zest of 1 lemon
04 - Juice of 1 lemon
05 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced

→ Dairy

06 - 1 cup ricotta cheese
07 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Herbs & Extras

08 - 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, finely chopped (plus extra for garnish)
09 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Add the peas to the boiling pasta water in the last 2 minutes of cooking.
02 - While the pasta cooks, in a large bowl, mix together the ricotta, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, half of the Parmesan, and chopped mint. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
03 - Reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and peas. Add the hot pasta and peas directly to the bowl with the ricotta mixture. Toss well, adding reserved cooking water a little at a time until the sauce is creamy and coats the pasta.
04 - Serve immediately, sprinkled with the remaining Parmesan and extra mint leaves.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • This dish is a delightful fusion of creamy and zesty flavors that beautifully highlight spring's bounty.
  • It’s quick to prepare, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or spontaneous gatherings.
02 -
  • Don’t forget to reserve that pasta water; it’s liquid gold for achieving the perfect sauciness.
  • Overcooking the peas will make them mushy, so time them wisely!
03 -
  • Always use the freshest herbs you can find; they make a world of difference.
  • Finishing with a drizzle of good-quality olive oil right before serving enhances the richness.
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