Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 lb short pasta, like penne or rigatoni (Mezzi rigatoni recommended)
Sauce and Toppings
- 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
- 2 cups arugula
- Chili flakes, for serving
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for serving
- Thinly sliced or torn basil leaves (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 12-15 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining the pasta. Drain and set pasta aside, then turn off the heat.
- Prepare the lemon ricotta sauce: Using the same pot or a large skillet, add ricotta, Parmesan, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Stir or whisk well until fully combined.
- Incorporate pasta water: Slowly stir in ½ cup of the reserved pasta water into the ricotta mixture until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked pasta back into the pot or skillet. Toss vigorously to coat the noodles evenly with the lemon ricotta sauce. Add additional pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce for a silky texture.
- Add arugula: Gently fold in the fresh arugula leaves, allowing them to slightly wilt from the residual heat.
- Serve and garnish: Serve the pasta immediately in a large bowl or individual plates. Drizzle olive oil on top and garnish with extra Parmesan, chili flakes, torn basil leaves if using, and lemon wedges on the side for added brightness.
Notes
- Use whole milk ricotta for a creamy texture; part-skim versions may be less rich.
- Feel free to swap out penne or rigatoni with any short pasta that holds sauce well, like fusilli or orecchiette.
- Adjust lemon juice quantity to taste if you prefer a more or less tangy sauce.
- Reserve enough pasta water to adjust sauce consistency; it helps emulsify and bind the sauce nicely.
- Add chili flakes in moderation if you prefer less heat.
- Optional basil adds a fresh herbal note but can be omitted without affecting the dish’s core flavors.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
