Description
Silky ricotta pea pasta dances with spring’s freshest flavors, creating a light Mediterranean-inspired dish. Green peas and smooth ricotta blend perfectly, delivering comfort and elegance in each delightful forkful you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (rigatoni, fusilli, or orecchiette)
- 1 cup (150 grams) peas (fresh or frozen)
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 cup (250 grams) whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) reserved pasta water
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- Drizzle of olive oil
- Fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted water bath in a spacious cooking vessel, bringing it to a rolling boil.
- Submerge pasta into the turbulent water, allowing it to dance and cook until achieving a perfect al dente texture as specified by the packaging guidelines.
- During the final minute of pasta’s culinary transformation, introduce vibrant green peas directly into the bubbling liquid, allowing them to warm through and brighten.
- Extract a precious half-cup of starchy pasta water, preserving its liquid gold potential for later sauce enhancement, then carefully drain the pasta and peas into a colander.
- While pasta rests momentarily, create a luxurious sauce by whisking ricotta cheese until smooth and silky, introducing freshly cracked black pepper and a whisper of zesty lemon zest.
- Gently fold the warm pasta and peas into the creamy ricotta mixture, using reserved pasta water to orchestrate a harmonious, velvety consistency that clings seductively to each pasta strand.
- Elevate the dish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs like basil or chives, and finish with a delicate dusting of grated parmesan to add depth and complexity to this elegant pasta creation.
Notes
- Drain pasta and peas carefully to maintain their vibrant green color and prevent overcooking.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a richer, more authentic flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.
- Opt for whole milk ricotta for a creamier, more luxurious texture that coats the pasta perfectly.
- Consider adding crispy pancetta or bacon bits for a delightful crunch and extra savory dimension to the vegetarian base.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg