Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 1 lb short pasta, like penne or rigatoni (Mezzi rigatoni recommended)
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 cup finely grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese, plus more for serving
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from 1 to 2 lemons), plus extra lemon wedges for serving
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
For Serving:
- 2 cups arugula
- Chili flakes, for serving
- Olive oil, for drizzling
- Thinly sliced or torn basil leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: In a large pot, boil the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining the pasta. Drain and set the pasta aside. Turn off the heat.
- Prepare the lemon ricotta sauce: In the same pot or a large skillet, combine ricotta, Parmesan, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
- Adjust the sauce consistency: Gradually whisk in ½ cup of the reserved pasta water to the ricotta mixture until smooth. Add more pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce to a creamy consistency.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta back into the pot or skillet. Toss vigorously to coat the noodles evenly with the lemon ricotta sauce.
- Add arugula: Stir in the fresh arugula until slightly wilted but still vibrant.
- Serve: Serve immediately in a large family-style bowl or individual bowls. Top with any remaining sauce, a drizzle of olive oil, extra Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, torn basil leaves if using, and lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps to create a silky sauce.
- This dish is best served immediately to maintain the fresh flavor of the lemon and texture of the arugula.
- You can substitute whole milk ricotta with part-skim ricotta for a lighter version.
- Adjust lemon juice quantity to your taste for more or less tang.
- Optionally add grilled chicken or shrimp to boost protein.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
