One-Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Introduction

If you’re seeking a weeknight pasta recipe that’s creamy, vibrant, and effortlessly elegant, this One-Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta delivers in spades. Its fresh lemony zing, combined with a lusciously smooth ricotta sauce, makes for a dish that feels restaurant-worthy—yet it comes together with minimal effort and clean-up. Perfect for busy evenings or casual gatherings, this pasta is sure to impress anyone craving big flavor without the fuss.

Why One-Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta Stands Out

What truly sets this dish apart is its delicate balance of flavors and convenience. The pasta cooks right in the pot alongside garlic and lemon zest, infusing each strand with brightness. Swirling in creamy ricotta with a splash of the starchy cooking water creates a silky, luscious sauce that clings beautifully, while fresh herbs and cracked pepper round everything out. It’s light, yet comforting—the kind of meal that disappears fast at any table.

Keys to Creamy Lemon Ricotta Sauce

The secret to this velvety sauce is marrying creamy ricotta with fragrant lemon zest and just enough pasta water to create a glossy, clinging finish. Warming the ricotta gently ensures it melds smoothly without curdling. A touch of grated Parmesan brings savory depth, and finishing with lemon juice heightens the freshness. For extra richness or a pop of color, add a handful of baby spinach or peas just before serving.

One-Pot Simplicity: How It Comes Together

The genius of this recipe lies in its one-pot preparation. Boil the pasta in your favorite large pot or Dutch oven, then stir in all the seasonings, ricotta, and lemony elements right before draining off a bit of the starchy cooking water (don’t forget to reserve some!). In just about 20 minutes, you have a complete, flavorful meal and hardly any dishes to wash—just more time to savor every bite.

Serving Suggestions for a Crowd-Pleasing Dinner

Garnish each bowl of pasta with extra lemon zest, a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley, and a good crack of black pepper. Serve alongside a simple green salad or crusty bread to complete the meal. For a more substantial dinner, pair this pasta with roasted chicken or salmon—its bright lemon notes complement virtually any protein.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 generous servings. Each bowl contains approximately 420-480 calories, depending on the ricotta and any added vegetables or protein. It’s a wholesome, comforting dish that packs calcium and protein, thanks to the dairy, while keeping things light with lemon and fresh herbs.

One-Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta Recap

This lemony ricotta pasta is bright, creamy, and effortless—a perfect solution for speedy dinners that don’t sacrifice flavor or elegance. One pot, a handful of pantry staples, and 20 minutes is all you need to bring irresistible freshness to your dinner table.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the pasta according to package directions in well-salted water. About 2 minutes before the pasta is done, add the baby spinach or peas if using.
2. While the pasta is cooking, mix the ricotta, Parmesan, lemon zest, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper in a bowl. Set aside.
3. Reserve 1/2 cup of cooking water, then drain the pasta (with greens, if added) and return it to the pot over low heat. Add the olive oil and minced garlic, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Remove pot from heat. Immediately add the ricotta mixture, lemon juice, and some reserved cooking water, tossing until the sauce is creamy and coats the pasta. Add more cooking water if a looser sauce is desired.
5. Season to taste with additional salt, pepper, and more lemon juice if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs and extra Parmesan.

Weekly Meal Planning

This One-Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta fits seamlessly into any meal prep or weekly dinner rotation. Save and schedule this recipe to plan which nights to make it, and instantly generate a smart shopping list that consolidates ingredients from all your planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

• Calculates total ingredient quantities needed for all your recipes
• Organizes the shopping list by grocery store sections—saving you time
• Reduces duplicate purchases and the risk of forgetting key ingredients
• Keeps meal prep efficient, streamlined, and waste-free

Pro tip: Planning multiple meals this week? Schedule your recipes so CookifyAI automatically updates ingredient amounts (like lemons or cheese) for all your meals, minimizing waste and maximizing convenience.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes