A simple and delicious creamy pasta dish made with ricotta cheese, perfect for a quick meal.
Author:Jessica
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:15 minutes
Total Time:25 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:Italian
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
8 ounces pasta (spaghetti or penne)
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Cook the pasta according to package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
In the same pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Reduce the heat to low and add the ricotta cheese, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Add the cooked pasta to the pot, tossing to coat the pasta in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
Remove from heat and serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil.
Notes
For added flavor, consider sautéing some spinach or cherry tomatoes with the garlic before adding the ricotta mixture.
Swap out the ricotta for cottage cheese for a lighter version, or add cooked chicken or shrimp for extra protein.