Pasta al Limone e Ricotta
Pasta with lemon & ricotta
Ingredients
- 200 g Spaghetti
- 200 g Ricotta
- 1 Lemon
- 40 g Parmigiano-Reggiano
- 2 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp Salt
- 8 Basil (optional)
Method
- Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil over high heat.
- While the water heats, whip the ricotta in a bowl with the lemon zest and juice, the parmigiano, and the olive oil until smooth.
- Cook the spaghetti in the boiling water one minute shy of al dente (firm to the bite).
- Reserve a mugful of pasta water, then drain.
- Loosen the ricotta with a splash of pasta water, then toss the pasta through with the basil.
- Serve at once.
Tap “Start cooking” for live timers that flag what to get ahead on while something simmers.
About Pasta al Limone e Ricotta
Pasta al limone e ricotta is a summery variation on the classic lemon pasta, softening the sharp citrus edge with cool, milky ricotta whipped smooth. Ricotta is a workhorse of Italian home cooking, and here it is beaten with lemon zest and juice, Parmigiano, and olive oil into an almost mousse-like cream that needs no cooking at all. The dish sits in the tradition of southern Italian pastas that lean on fresh dairy and citrus rather than long-simmered sauces, favouring speed and lightness.
The eating experience is gentle and creamy, the ricotta lending a cloud-like richness that the lemon brightens and torn basil freshens with its sweet, peppery aroma. Because the sauce is uncooked, the only trick is loosening the whipped ricotta with a splash of hot pasta water so it turns silky and coats the strands rather than sitting in clumps. It comes together in under twenty minutes and makes an ideal warm-weather lunch or a light dinner, delicate enough that a glass of chilled white and some ripe tomatoes on the side are all it wants alongside.
Pasta al Limone e Ricotta: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Pasta al Limone e Ricotta?
A serving has about 753 calories — 31.5g protein, 87.1g carbs, 31.3g fat, 5g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is it high in protein?
Each serving has about 31.5g of protein, roughly 17% of its calories.
Is Pasta al Limone e Ricotta gluten-free?
As written, no — it contains Spaghetti. You'd need a certified gluten-free swap for that ingredient to make it gluten-free.
Is Pasta al Limone e Ricotta dairy-free?
Not as written — it uses Ricotta, Parmigiano-Reggiano. Swapping those for a plant-based alternative makes it dairy-free.
How long does Pasta al Limone e Ricotta take to make?
About 21 minutes start to finish, but only around 8 of those are hands-on — the rest is cooking time. In the Homecooked app the timers and parallel steps are sequenced for you so the hands-on part feels even shorter.
Do I need every ingredient to make Pasta al Limone e Ricotta?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out basil — it's optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Pasta al Limone e Ricotta make?
This recipe makes 2 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.