Ricotta Pesto Pasta
This Ricotta Pesto Pasta is made with fresh zucchini, basil pesto and ricotta cheese. It’s an easy dinner recipe that is creamy, flavorful, and ready in just 30 minutes!
When we lived near my parents, they would often show up carrying a 2-foot long zucchini from their garden. When this happens, I make multiple batches of Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread. Use any leftover pesto you have for my Pesto Pasta with Tomatoes or Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad! You’ll also love my Red Pesto Pasta recipe!
Why This Recipe Works
- Fresh flavors. This pasta with ricotta and pesto includes fresh zucchini and lemon zest. I love the flavor combinations!
- Easy 30-minute dinner. This is a 30-minute easy pasta recipe that is perfect for weeknights when things are a bit crazy and you’re running short on time. Plus, if you have kids, this is a delicious meal that they’ll love (and it’s packed with zucchini so they’ll be getting a healthy dose of vegetables). #Winning. For another deliciously easy pasta recipe, try my Boursin Pasta!
- Creamy ricotta pesto pasta. Pesto pasta with ricotta cheese is a game-changer! The creamy ricotta cheese adds a nice creamy texture to the pesto and creates a bit more consistency to the sauce. It’s the perfect flavor complement.
Ingredient Notes
- Zucchini: I cut the zucchini into thin circular pieces. You are welcome to dice the zucchini or cut into spears. Circles or diced would help the zucchini disperse in the zucchini pesto pasta better.
- Basil Pesto: You can use a traditional pesto from the store or if you want a homemade option, try my Basil Pesto recipe! Kale Pesto is also a great option for this recipe.
- Ricotta: Homemade ricotta or store bought will work just fine.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: You can omit this or add a lot more depending on your spice tolerance. The amount called for in the recipe isn’t enough to create a spicy flavor.
- Lemon Zest: This adds a freshness to the ricotta pesto pasta. If you don’t have fresh lemons, you can use dried lemon peel or a splash of lemon juice.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan: Using freshly grated parmesan cheese will melt into the sauce better than store-bought pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese that is packaged and sold in grocery stores is coated in cellulose that helps the cheese maintain its shredded form, making it harder to melt into a sauce.
- Penne Pasta: You can use whatever pasta you prefer. Bowtie, casarecce, rigatoni, penne, etc. all work great!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook the vegetables. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook until translucent. Add the garlic and zucchini and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the zucchini is somewhat soft. Remove from heat.
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. While the zucchini is cooking, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tsp salt to the water. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until just under al dente. Drain the water and reserve 1 1/2 cups of the pasta water.
- Combine. Add the zucchini and onion mixture to the pasta. Stir to combine.
- Add remaining ingredients. Add 3/4 cup of the reserved pasta water, the ricotta cheese, red pepper flakes, parmesan cheese, basil pesto, and lemon. Return to low heat and cook while stirring until creamy. Add more pasta water if needed to create a creamy sauce consistency. Serve warm!
Recipe Tips
Add 1/4 teaspoon-1/2 teaspoon of the red pepper flakes for a little kick of heat.
Garnish this perfect pasta dish with some fresh basil leaves, salt and black pepper. You can also add some grilled chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken for some added protein.
If you don’t have a fresh lemon, you can use lemon peel or a splash of lemon juice.
You can use homemade fresh ricotta cheese if you wish!
Be sure to reserve at least a cup of the pasta cooking water to add a bit of creaminess to the pesto and ricotta mixture.
You want to under cook the zucchini and pasta because you’ll combine everything together and cook the zucchini pesto pasta for a few minutes to help warm up everything and make the sauce creamy.
Have more zucchini to use up? Make my Zucchetti Pasta Recipe.
Make Ahead, Storing, and Freezing
Serving the ricotta pesto pasta while warm is the best option. Leftovers are delicious though! So if you want to make the recipe ahead of time you can. I would just add a bit more pasta water to make the sauce extra saucy because the liquid will reduce when reheating.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a large pot with a little bit of water to help loosen up the sauce.
I don’t recommend freezing cooked pasta as it will turn mushy once thawed.
Recipe FAQs
You can use summer squash in place of zucchini! It will provide the most similar flavor and textures.
While cottage cheese and ricotta are fairly similar and make great substitutions for each other in lasagnas, I would recommend sticking the ricotta in this recipe. The nice thing about the ricotta cheese is that it incorporates into the pesto really well, making it a creamy pesto sauce. Cottage cheese has the cheese curds in it, which won’t combine into the pesto.
No it isn’t. There is a dash of red pepper flakes in the recipe, but not enough to add any spice. If you want it to be spicy, simply add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. You are also welcome to omit the red pepper flakes as well.
Related Recipes
- Crockpot Lasagna with Ricotta Cheese
- Lemon Ricotta Cookies
- Grilled Tomato, Mozzarella, and Pesto Sandwich Recipe
- Pasta with Zucchini Sauce
- Chicken Pot Pie Noodles
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Ricotta Pesto Pasta with Zucchini
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion - diced (about 1 3/4-2 cups)
- 2 lbs zucchini - sliced into 1/4″ inch thick coins
- 3 garlic cloves - minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/3 cup basil pesto
- 1 1/3 cup Ricotta
- pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- zest of 1 lemon
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan
- 1 lb penne pasta
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onions to the butter and cook until softened, about 8-10 minutes. Add the garlic and zucchini. Season with salt and pepper. Continue cooking until the zucchini is somewhat soft (but not too soft!), about 8 minutes. Turn off the heat.
- While the zucchini is cooking, bring a large pot of water to boil, once boiling add about 1 tablespoon of salt to the water. Cook the pasta until a tad under al dente. Drain the pasta, but reserve 1 1/2 cups of the pasta water.
- Add the pasta to the zucchini mixture. Stir to combine.
- Add ¾ cups of the reserved pasta water, ricotta, red pepper flakes, parmesan, pesto, and lemon. Turn heat to low and cook and stir until the pasta turns creamy, about 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings. If you need to add more pasta water to the dish, do so. Serve immediately.
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One Comment on “Ricotta Pesto Pasta”
This pesto pasta is SO GOOD!! We added a little more red pepper flakes to elevate the heat just a tad. Turned out perfectly. We will definitely be making this again!!