Description
Homemade pasta with ricotta and lemon creates a delightful Italian-inspired dish perfect for quick weeknight dinners. Simple ingredients blend harmoniously, offering you a fresh and elegant meal that celebrates classic Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 grams) shrimp
- 8 oz (226 grams) pasta
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk ricotta cheese
- ⅓ cup (40 grams) parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 cup (240 ml) reserved pasta water
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) lemon juice
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon zest
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp Italian seasonings
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- Chives (optional)
Instructions
- Shrimp Sautéing: Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat, gently cooking shrimp until they transform into a delicate pink shade, ensuring they remain tender and succulent.
- Pasta Preparation: Simultaneously, bring a pot of water to a vigorous boil and cook pasta until achieving an al dente texture, following package guidelines while reserving one cup of starchy cooking liquid.
- Sauce Creation: Transfer pasta directly into the shrimp skillet, introducing ricotta, parmesan, lemon zest, lemon juice, black pepper, sea salt, Italian seasonings, and red pepper flakes, then incorporate reserved pasta water to craft a luxurious, velvety sauce.
- Final Presentation: Elegantly plate the pasta in warmed serving bowls, embellishing with a delicate olive oil drizzle, additional seasonings, and a sprinkle of freshly chopped chives to elevate both flavor and visual aesthetics.
Notes
- Optimize Pasta Texture: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness and maintain a perfect bite.
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserved starchy liquid is crucial for creating a silky, emulsified sauce that clings beautifully to noodles.
- Shrimp Cooking Hack: Watch carefully while sautéing to avoid overcooking; shrimp turn rubbery quickly when heated too long.
- Zesty Flavor Balance: Lemon zest and juice brighten the dish, cutting through the richness of ricotta and providing a fresh, vibrant taste profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg