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Fresh Lemon Ricotta Pasta Recipe Easy Homemade with Peas and Mint

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A bright, creamy pasta dish featuring ricotta, lemon zest and juice, sweet peas, and fresh mint. Quick and easy to prepare, perfect for a light and refreshing meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 g) spaghetti or linguine
  • 1 cup (240 g) fresh whole milk ricotta cheese
  • Zest and juice of 1 large lemon (about 2 tablespoons juice)
  • 1 cup (150 g) frozen peas, thawed
  • 1/4 cup packed fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Red pepper flakes, optional pinch

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes for spaghetti. Reserve 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta cooking water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, thaw the peas by running them under warm water or letting them sit in a bowl for a few minutes.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add the thawed peas to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until warmed through and tender.
  5. Turn the heat to low, then add the ricotta cheese to the skillet. Stir gently to combine with the peas and garlic, creating a creamy base.
  6. Add the lemon zest and juice to the ricotta mixture. Stir well and taste, adjusting lemon juice as desired.
  7. Drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time (usually 1/4 to 1/2 cup) to loosen the sauce and help it coat the noodles evenly.
  8. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese to add depth and subtle saltiness.
  9. Add chopped fresh mint leaves and toss gently to distribute without bruising.
  10. Season with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  11. Serve immediately, optionally drizzling extra olive oil on top and garnishing with extra mint leaves or lemon zest.

Notes

Keep the heat low when warming ricotta to avoid grainy texture. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Add fresh mint at the end to preserve its bright flavor. Avoid zesting the white pith of the lemon to prevent bitterness.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon ricotta pasta, fresh pasta recipe, easy pasta, peas and mint pasta, quick dinner, creamy pasta, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://katedishes.com/fresh-lemon-ricotta-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-with-peas-and-mint/