Description
Zesty lemon ricotta zucchini pasta delivers Mediterranean sunshine on a plate, dancing with fresh herbs and creamy cheese. Summer’s garden harvest meets Italian culinary passion, inviting you to savor each delightful, herb-kissed bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or penne)
- 2 medium zucchinis, thinly sliced into half-moons
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk ricotta cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon (zest and juice)
- ½–1 cup (120–240 ml) reserved pasta water
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: red pepper flakes
- Optional: fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Immerse pasta in generously salted water, cooking until perfectly tender. Carefully extract and preserve one cup of starchy liquid before draining.
- Zucchini Transformation: Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium flame. Introduce zucchini, allowing it to caramelize and soften for approximately 5-7 minutes. Incorporate minced garlic, sautéing briefly to release aromatic essence. Season with salt and freshly cracked pepper.
- Ricotta Fusion: Whisk ricotta in a separate vessel, blending zesty lemon notes, citrus juice, aged Parmesan, and seasoning until smooth and harmonious.
- Culinary Fusion: Marry pasta with golden zucchini in the skillet. Gently fold ricotta mixture throughout, gradually introducing reserved pasta water to create a luxurious, silky coating that embraces each pasta strand.
- Final Flourish: Evaluate and refine seasoning. Elevate the dish with optional garnishes like additional Parmesan, fragrant basil leaves, or fiery red pepper flakes. Serve immediately while temperature and texture are optimal.
Notes
- Save the starchy liquid when draining pasta, as it helps create a silky, smooth sauce that perfectly coats the noodles and helps ricotta blend seamlessly.
- Pat zucchini dry before sautéing to prevent excess water release, ensuring golden edges and preventing a watery sauce.
- Add reserved pasta water gradually, stirring continuously to achieve desired sauce thickness and creamy texture without making it too runny.
- Swap regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives, use dairy-free ricotta for vegan version, or add grilled chicken for extra protein.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg