Lemon-Basil Ricotta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Creamy ricotta pasta tossed with bright lemon juice, fresh basil, and sweet cherry tomatoes for a fresh and comforting Italian meal. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs penne pasta, whole milk ricotta cheese, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 440 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 440 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes until tomatoes soften and release juices.
  4. Step 4: Lower heat and add 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese, 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine and warm through gently.
  5. Step 5: Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until the sauce coats the pasta evenly.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and basil on top.

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