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Creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta Recipe with Peas and Mint

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A quick and fresh pasta dish combining creamy ricotta, bright lemon zest, sweet peas, and fresh mint for a light yet satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces pasta (penne or farfalle preferred)
  • 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese (about 250g)
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen peas (about 150g)
  • 1 large lemon (zest and juice)
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped (about 10g)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and peas together (if using fresh peas, add them in the last 2 minutes). Cook according to package instructions, usually 9 to 11 minutes for al dente.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in ricotta cheese, lemon zest, and juice from one lemon. Mix gently until creamy and well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Drain pasta and peas, reserving 1/4 cup (60ml) of the cooking water. Immediately transfer pasta and peas to the skillet with the ricotta mixture.
  5. Toss everything together gently, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce. The sauce should cling nicely to the pasta without being watery. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  6. Fold in chopped fresh mint leaves. The heat from the pasta will release their aroma without wilting them completely.
  7. Serve immediately, optionally topped with grated Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil for extra richness.

Notes

If ricotta is very thick, whisk it with a bit of lemon juice to loosen it for better sauce coating. Do not overcook peas; they should remain vibrant and slightly crisp. Add mint at the end to preserve its fresh flavor. Use pasta cooking water gradually to achieve a silky sauce. Avoid browned garlic to prevent bitterness.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon ricotta pasta, creamy pasta, peas and mint pasta, quick pasta recipe, easy dinner, spring pasta, fresh pasta recipe

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