Popular-Inspired Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Garlic and Basil
A creamy lemon ricotta sauce tossed with al dente pasta, fresh garlic, and vibrant basil for a simple, crowd-pleasing Italian dish. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 17 minutes pairs spaghetti, ricotta cheese, fresh lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 spaghetti
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain pasta.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup ricotta cheese, 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix until smooth.
- Step 4: Add hot drained pasta to the ricotta mixture along with the garlic and olive oil from the skillet. Toss gently, adding reserved 1/2 cup pasta water gradually, until the sauce coats the pasta evenly.
- Step 5: Fold in 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Toss again and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Popular-Inspired Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Garlic and Basil take to make?
Total time is about 17 minutes (5 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 Popular-Inspired Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Garlic and Basil?
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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Popular-Inspired Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Garlic and Basil?
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 Popular-Inspired Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Garlic and Basil 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 Popular-Inspired Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Garlic and Basil 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.
