Minute Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta Quick and Tasty Meal

Name: Minute Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 8 oz fettuccine or spaghetti; 0.5 cup ricotta cheese; 0.25 cup unsalted butter; 1 lemon zest; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese; to taste salt; to taste pepper; for garnish fresh basil or parsley; for garnish extra lemon zest

October 7, 2025December 13, 2024 by Lily

Looking for a quick and tasty meal? You’ve found it! This Minute Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta is both easy and delicious. With just a few simple ingredients, you will create a satisfying dish in under 15 minutes. Whether you’re busy after work or need a weekend treat, this recipe makes cooking fun. Let’s dive into the ingredients and get started on your new favorite meal!

Why I Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinners.
Fresh and Vibrant Flavors: The combination of lemon and basil adds a fresh, zesty taste that brightens up the dish and makes it incredibly refreshing.
Creamy Texture: The ricotta cheese creates a luscious, creamy sauce that clings to the pasta beautifully, ensuring every bite is indulgent.
Customizable: You can easily tweak this recipe by adding your favorite vegetables or proteins, making it versatile for different tastes and dietary needs.

Ingredients

To make Minute Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta, you need a few simple ingredients. This dish shines with fresh flavors and creamy textures. Here’s what you will need:

– Pasta type options: You can choose either 8 oz of fettuccine or spaghetti. Both work well.

– Cheese options: Use 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese for creaminess. You can also add 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

– Flavor enhancers: The zest and juice of 1 lemon give a bright taste. You will also need 1/4 cup of unsalted butter to create a rich sauce.

These ingredients blend perfectly to create a quick and tasty meal.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cooking the Pasta

To make the perfect pasta, you must cook it al dente. This means the pasta should be firm to the bite. Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Once it boils, add your fettuccine or spaghetti. Follow the package instructions for timing.

Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water. This water is starchy and helps thicken your sauce later.

Preparing the Sauce

Now, let’s make the sauce. In a large skillet, melt 1/4 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Watch it closely as it melts. You want it to foam but not burn.

Once the butter is foamy, add the zest of one lemon. Sauté this mixture for about one minute until it smells great.

Next, turn the heat to low and mix in 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese. Stir it well until it is creamy. If the sauce feels too thick, don’t worry. We will fix that soon.

Mixing Pasta and Sauce

It’s time to combine the pasta and sauce. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Now, pour in 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated.

If you want a creamier sauce, add more pasta water a little at a time. Stir in 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Your Minute Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta is almost ready to serve!

Tips & Tricks

Enhancing Flavor

To boost flavor in your Minute Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta, try adding spices like black pepper or red pepper flakes. These spices add warmth and a little kick. You can also mix in some garlic for depth. Fresh herbs bring brightness, too. I love using fresh basil or parsley. They add color and a fresh taste. Just sprinkle them on top when serving.

Cooking Consistency

To change the creaminess of the sauce, adjust the pasta water. Start with half a cup and stir it in. If you want it creamier, add more water slowly. Balancing flavors is key. Make sure to taste as you go. Add salt to enhance the flavors, but don’t overdo it. The lemon juice adds brightness, so find the right mix between salt and lemon. This balance makes each bite delicious.

Pro Tips

Choose the Right Pasta: Opt for fettuccine or spaghetti as they hold the creamy sauce well, ensuring every bite is flavorful.
Perfect the Sauce Consistency: Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce’s creaminess; add it gradually until you reach your desired texture.
Fresh Ingredients Matter: Using fresh lemon juice and zest enhances the dish’s brightness, making it more vibrant and flavorful.
Garnish for Presentation: Don’t skip the fresh herbs and extra lemon zest as they not only add color but also elevate the dish’s overall taste.

Variations

Vegetable Additions

You can make your Minute Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta even better by adding veggies. Seasonal vegetables bring color and nutrition. Think about using:

– Spinach

– Cherry tomatoes

– Peas

– Zucchini

Add these vegetables during the last few minutes of cooking. For example, toss in spinach just before the pasta is done. If you use cherry tomatoes, add them when you melt the butter. Cook them until they are soft. This way, they add flavor and freshness.

Protein Options

If you want to add protein, chicken or shrimp are great choices. Cook the chicken in the same skillet before adding the butter. Cut it into small pieces for even cooking. For shrimp, add them right after the butter foams. They cook quickly and add flavor.

If you’re vegetarian, try chickpeas or white beans. They add protein and blend well with the sauce. Just stir them in when you mix the pasta and sauce. This makes your meal hearty and fulfilling.

Storage Info

Refrigeration Guidelines

To store your Minute Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta, let it cool first. Place it in an airtight container. This keeps it fresh longer. You can store it in the fridge for up to three days. After that, it may lose flavor and texture. Always check for any strange smells or colors before eating leftovers.

Reheating Advice

When you reheat this pasta, do it gently. The best way is using a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of water or olive oil to keep it moist. Stir often to prevent sticking. If you want to boost the flavor, add more lemon juice or fresh herbs while reheating. This makes every bite taste fresh and bright!

FAQs

How long does it take to prepare Minute Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta?

You can make this pasta in just 15 minutes. The prep time is about 5 minutes. Cooking the pasta takes around 10 minutes. This quick meal is perfect for busy days.

Can I use other types of cheese?

Yes, you can use other cheeses if you like. Cream cheese or goat cheese work well as substitutes for ricotta. For Parmesan, try pecorino or nutritional yeast for a vegan twist. Each choice will add a unique flavor to your dish.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! This recipe is great for meal prep. You can cook the pasta and sauce ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge. It will last for up to three days. When you want to eat, just reheat and enjoy your tasty meal.

This blog post walked you through making the perfect Minute Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta. We covered ingredient options like pasta and cheese, step-by-step cooking, and tips for enhancing flavor. You learned how to adjust sauce consistency and incorporate proteins or veggies.

In closing, this dish is quick, easy, and full of flavor. Try it out with your favorite ingredients, and enjoy a delightful meal tonight. Happy cookin

$To make Minute Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta, you need a few simple ingredients. This dish shines with fresh flavors and creamy textures. Here’s what you will need: - Pasta type options: You can choose either 8 oz of fettuccine or spaghetti. Both work well. - Cheese options: Use 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese for creaminess. You can also add 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor. - Flavor enhancers: The zest and juice of 1 lemon give a bright taste. You will also need 1/4 cup of unsalted butter to create a rich sauce. These ingredients blend perfectly to create a quick and tasty meal. {{ingredient_image_1}} To make the perfect pasta, you must cook it al dente. This means the pasta should be firm to the bite. Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Once it boils, add your fettuccine or spaghetti. Follow the package instructions for timing. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water. This water is starchy and helps thicken your sauce later. Now, let’s make the sauce. In a large skillet, melt 1/4 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Watch it closely as it melts. You want it to foam but not burn. Once the butter is foamy, add the zest of one lemon. Sauté this mixture for about one minute until it smells great. Next, turn the heat to low and mix in 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese. Stir it well until it is creamy. If the sauce feels too thick, don’t worry. We will fix that soon. It’s time to combine the pasta and sauce. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Now, pour in 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated. If you want a creamier sauce, add more pasta water a little at a time. Stir in 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well and season with salt and pepper to taste. Your Minute Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta is almost ready to serve! To boost flavor in your Minute Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta, try adding spices like black pepper or red pepper flakes. These spices add warmth and a little kick. You can also mix in some garlic for depth. Fresh herbs bring brightness, too. I love using fresh basil or parsley. They add color and a fresh taste. Just sprinkle them on top when serving. To change the creaminess of the sauce, adjust the pasta water. Start with half a cup and stir it in. If you want it creamier, add more water slowly. Balancing flavors is key. Make sure to taste as you go. Add salt to enhance the flavors, but don’t overdo it. The lemon juice adds brightness, so find the right mix between salt and lemon. This balance makes each bite delicious. Pro Tips Choose the Right Pasta: Opt for fettuccine or spaghetti as they hold the creamy sauce well, ensuring every bite is flavorful. Perfect the Sauce Consistency: Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce's creaminess; add it gradually until you reach your desired texture. Fresh Ingredients Matter: Using fresh lemon juice and zest enhances the dish's brightness, making it more vibrant and flavorful. Garnish for Presentation: Don't skip the fresh herbs and extra lemon zest as they not only add color but also elevate the dish's overall taste. {{image_2}} You can make your Minute Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta even better by adding veggies. Seasonal vegetables bring color and nutrition. Think about using: - Spinach - Cherry tomatoes - Peas - Zucchini Add these vegetables during the last few minutes of cooking. For example, toss in spinach just before the pasta is done. If you use cherry tomatoes, add them when you melt the butter. Cook them until they are soft. This way, they add flavor and freshness. If you want to add protein, chicken or shrimp are great choices. Cook the chicken in the same skillet before adding the butter. Cut it into small pieces for even cooking. For shrimp, add them right after the butter foams. They cook quickly and add flavor. If you're vegetarian, try chickpeas or white beans. They add protein and blend well with the sauce. Just stir them in when you mix the pasta and sauce. This makes your meal hearty and fulfilling. To store your Minute Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta, let it cool first. Place it in an airtight container. This keeps it fresh longer. You can store it in the fridge for up to three days. After that, it may lose flavor and texture. Always check for any strange smells or colors before eating leftovers. When you reheat this pasta, do it gently. The best way is using a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of water or olive oil to keep it moist. Stir often to prevent sticking. If you want to boost the flavor, add more lemon juice or fresh herbs while reheating. This makes every bite taste fresh and bright! You can make this pasta in just 15 minutes. The prep time is about 5 minutes. Cooking the pasta takes around 10 minutes. This quick meal is perfect for busy days. Yes, you can use other cheeses if you like. Cream cheese or goat cheese work well as substitutes for ricotta. For Parmesan, try pecorino or nutritional yeast for a vegan twist. Each choice will add a unique flavor to your dish. Absolutely! This recipe is great for meal prep. You can cook the pasta and sauce ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge. It will last for up to three days. When you want to eat, just reheat and enjoy your tasty meal. This blog post walked you through making the perfect Minute Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta. We covered ingredient options like pasta and cheese, step-by-step cooking, and tips for enhancing flavor. You learned how to adjust sauce consistency and incorporate proteins or veggies. In closing, this dish is quick, easy, and full of flavor. Try it out with your favorite ingredients, and enjoy a delightful meal tonight. Happy cooking!$