Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Peas
This delightful Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Peas recipe combines creamy ricotta cheese with zesty lemon juice and bright green peas, creating a vibrant sauce that beautifully coats this gorgeous pasta.
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 543kcal
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup pine nuts toasted
- 8 ounces Cavatappi penne, or ziti
- 2 medium cloves garlic smashed
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme
- 1 1/2 cup peas frozen and thawed, divided
- 6 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 lemon juiced and zested
- 1/4 cup olive oil divided
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- Crushed red pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, toast the pine nuts, stirring constantly until slightly golden in color. Set aside.
- Cook the pasta in a pot of salted water until 1-2 minutes shy of the package instructions.
- Reserve some cooking liquid and drain the pasta. Pour the pasta into the skillet. Drizzle with olive oil and stir.
- In a food processor, add garlic, parsley, oregano and thyme. Blend until mostly smooth.
- Add 1 cup of the peas, ricotta, lemon juice and zest, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt , and black pepper. Pulse until blended, but not smooth.
- Add the ricotta mixture to the pasta along with 1/4 cup of the pasta water and stir it up. If it’s too thick, add a bit more water to smooth it out. Add the remaining peas, Parmesan, and red pepper flakes.
- Top with toasted pine nuts and drizzle on remaining olive oil.
Video
Notes
- For the best flavor, opt for fresh peas when they are in season. If fresh peas are unavailable, frozen peas work well too; they don't even need to be thawed before adding to the pasta.
- Before draining the pasta, reserve half a cup of the cooking water. This starchy water can be added to the sauce to achieve the desired creaminess and help the sauce cling to the pasta.
- For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding grated Parmesan cheese or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the dish before serving. Fresh herbs like basil or parsley can also enhance the overall taste and presentation.
Nutrition
Calories: 543kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 445mg | Potassium: 436mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1001IU | Vitamin C: 42mg | Calcium: 191mg | Iron: 3mg