Description
A bright and creamy pasta dish featuring fresh ricotta, tender broccoli, and zesty lemon flavors that come together in just 25 minutes for a perfect weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz Spaghetti
- 1 cup Fresh ricotta cheese
- 2 cups Fresh broccoli florets
- 2 tbsp Fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Lemon zest
- 2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 Garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook Pasta – Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: Prepare Vegetables – Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add broccoli florets and sauté for 3-4 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
- Step 3: Create Sauce – Lower heat to low. Add ricotta cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest to the skillet. Stir gently until ricotta becomes creamy and well combined with vegetables.
- Step 4: Combine Pasta – Add drained pasta to the skillet with broccoli mixture. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water gradually until you achieve a silky sauce consistency.
- Step 5: Final Seasoning – Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use fresh ricotta from the deli counter for the creamiest texture and best flavor in your sauce
- Don’t skip reserving pasta water – its starch content is essential for silky sauce consistency
- Add lemon juice gradually and taste as you go to achieve your preferred level of brightness
- Serve immediately after combining to prevent the ricotta from breaking or becoming grainy
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 485 calories
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: lemon ricotta broccoli pasta, easy pasta recipe, creamy pasta, vegetarian pasta, quick dinner, Italian pasta