Creamy Pasta with Ricotta and Peas

5 from 1 vote

Creamy Pasta with Ricotta and Peas is the ultimate weeknight hero—creamy, lemony, and bursting with fresh basil in every bite. This easy ricotta pasta recipe uses pantry staples like whole milk ricotta, parmesan cheese, frozen peas, and pasta water to create a silky, flavorful sauce without the fuss that's ready in just 20 minutes!

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Total Time20

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Italian

Servings:

Calories: 586kcal

Author: Jami Powell

Equipment

Large Pot
Colander
Large Mixing Bowl
Microplane or fine grater
Tongs or Large Spoon
Ladle or heatproof cup

Ingredients

12 ounces fusilli corti bucati or other short pasta
1 to 1½ cups frozen peas
1 cup whole milk ricotta
1 lemon zest and juice
½ cup finely grated pecorino romano
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes adjust to taste
2 tablespoon olive oil plus more for drizzling
salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
fresh basil thinly sliced (chiffonade)
reserved pasta water about 1 cup

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Add frozen peas during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
In a large bowl, mix ricotta, lemon zest, lemon juice, grated cheese, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add a few tablespoons of hot pasta water and stir until smooth.
Add the hot pasta and peas to the ricotta mixture. Toss well, adding more pasta water as needed to create a creamy sauce.
Serve with fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil. Top with more cheese and pepper flakes if you like.

Notes

Storage Store leftover ricotta pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days

Freeze Freezing is not recommended since the sauce may lose some creaminess once thawed.

Reheat: Add a splash of water and warm gently over medium heat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Substitutions

Pasta: Swap fusilli for penne, farfalle, or even spaghetti.
Peas: Use sautéed spinach or steamed asparagus if peas aren’t your thing.
Flavor: Add lemony sautéed shrimp or crispy pancetta for protein.

Adjustments Cooking time may need to be adjusted based on the geography of the area (high vs. low elevation), cookware (stoneware vs traditional bakeware), and outdoor temperature if grilling.

Nutrition information is only an estimate

Nutrition