Quick and easy pasta recipes are my go-to meal during the week when I need something fast and fresh, and my Lemony Ricotta Bow-Tie Pasta is super delicious and easy to put together.
I like to keep my pasta recipes light and refreshing using just a couple of ingredients that I have in my refrigerator, and a lemon always seems to brighten things up. Lemon zest should never be underestimated in cooking. In fact, in most recipes you could add a teaspoon, or two for lift and freshness, a flavor that you can’t always achieve using salt or dried herbs.
Mixing lemon zest into whole milk ricotta makes an amazing sauce, especially when tossed with warm pasta, and a splash of reserved pasta water. I love using bow-tie pasta in this recipe not only because it’s cute, but the ridges and crannies soak up the creamy lemon sauce creating a perfect bite every time.
You can enjoy this recipe as an entree, but if you’re looking for an easy side dish to serve with fish or vegetables, it’s pretty great. This pasta is something to keep in your repertoire for those evenings when you crave deliciousness quickly, and you don’t want to skimp on taste.
Ingredients
12 ounces bow-tie pasta
1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
zest of 1 lemon
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/4 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese – divided
salt & pepper
(Serves 4)
To Prepare:
- Boil pasta for 9 minutes, reserving 1 cup pasta water, drain.
- In a small bowl, combine ricotta, lemon zest, lemon juice and parsley, set aside.
- Place cooked pasta back into pot and add ricotta mixture, toss.
- Add 1/4 cup pasta water, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and parsley, toss. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add more pasta water if necessary to thin sauce.
- Place pasta in serving bowl and top with remaining Parmesan. Enjoy!
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