# CREAMY LEMON RICOTTA RIGATONI

This creamy lemon ricotta rigatoni is the ultimate weeknight dinner that requires only five ingredients, 15 minutes, one pot, and already includes greens.

- Total time: 15 min
- Cuisine: Italian
- Category: Drink
- Language: en

## Ingredients

- 1 cup short pasta, like rigatoni or penne
- 1 cup whole-milk ricotta or dairy-free ricotta
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan
- 1 tbsp freshly grated lemon zest
- 0.25 cup lemon juice
- 2 cups arugula
- chili flakes
- torn basil leaves
- salt
- pepper
- 1 cup pasta water

## Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente, reserving 1 cup of cooking water.
2. Drain pasta.
3. In the same pot, add ricotta, parmesan, lemon zest and juice, salt, and pepper to taste.
4. Stir well.
5. Stir in 1/2 cup of pasta water until smooth.
6. Add pasta and stir vigorously until the pasta is well coated.
7. Continue adding pasta water as needed until smooth.
8. Stir in the arugula.
9. Serve immediately topped with remaining sauce from the pan, extra parmesan, red-pepper flakes, and torn basil.

## Equipment

- pot

## Tips

- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to three days.
- The sauce can be made dairy-free.
- If no arugula, sub spinach or omit.
- To make the sauce more creamy, add milk or cream instead of pasta water.

## Source

- Original video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DF85N-TRTEp/?igsh=MWFhaWJwcThlMGFweA==
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/6eb40293-dc75-4568-b92b-91792bbeddce
- Extracted: 2025-09-02

Extracted from the video by Clip Recipe (https://www.cliprecipe.com). Quantities and steps are as stated or shown in the video. Site guide for agents: https://www.cliprecipe.com/llms.txt