Knitted Fabric-Style Herb Pasta
Tangle-free pasta strands coated in a silky herb-ricotta sauce, echoing the fluid lines of translucent knitted fabric lighting. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 22 minutes pairs fettuccine pasta, whole-milk ricotta, packed and finely chopped fresh basil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz fettuccine pasta
- 1/2 cup whole-milk ricotta
- 1/4 cup, packed and finely chopped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup pasta water
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz fettuccine and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Remove saucepan from heat, stir in 1/2 cup ricotta, chopped basil, chopped parsley, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper until smooth. Add 1/4 cup reserved pasta water and stir until sauce emulsifies into a creamy consistency.
- Step 4: Toss drained fettuccine into the saucepan with remaining pasta water. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until pasta is evenly coated and sauce clings to strands without pooling.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Knitted Fabric-Style Herb Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Knitted Fabric-Style Herb Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fettuccine pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Knitted Fabric-Style Herb Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Knitted Fabric-Style Herb Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Knitted Fabric-Style Herb Pasta vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
