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Fresh Lemon Herb Pasta with Creamy Ricotta and Asparagus

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A light and creamy spring pasta dish featuring fresh lemon, tender asparagus, and a smooth ricotta sauce that comes together quickly for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
  • 1 bunch asparagus (about 1 lb), trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
  • Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. In the last 3 minutes of pasta cooking, add the asparagus pieces to the boiling water with the pasta. Drain pasta and asparagus together.
  3. While pasta cooks, in a mixing bowl combine 1 cup ricotta, lemon zest and juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, and minced garlic. Whisk until smooth. Add about 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce—it should be creamy but not runny.
  4. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil and sauté the drained asparagus with garlic for 2-3 minutes to deepen flavor. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
  5. Add cooked pasta to the skillet with asparagus. Pour ricotta sauce over and toss gently, adding more reserved pasta water as needed to coat everything evenly.
  6. Stir in chopped parsley and basil. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and an extra squeeze of lemon juice if desired.
  7. Plate the pasta and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Notes

Keep some pasta water handy during tossing to adjust sauce thickness. Avoid overcooking asparagus to keep it crisp-tender. Whisk ricotta with lemon juice and pasta water before tossing to ensure a smooth sauce. Salt pasta water generously for best flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon pasta, ricotta pasta, asparagus pasta, spring dinner, creamy pasta, easy pasta recipe, fresh herbs, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/fresh-lemon-herb-pasta-with-creamy-ricotta-and-asparagus-easy-recipe-for-spring-dinner/