Pasta with Ricotta and Peas a dish made for pasta lovers! Creamy Ricotta Pasta is a dish my mother made growing up. The best part is that it's a one pot ricotta pasta dish which reduces kitchen clean up. And if you love summer vegetables, try our favorite zucchini and eggplant sauté or our zucchini fritters. Both dishes my mother made regularly.
Get ready to twirl your forks and satisfy your carb cravings with a summer ricotta pasta dish that's as comforting as a warm hug from Nonna.
Jump to:
- Here's Why You'll Love this Dish for Pasta, Ricotta and Peas
- Ingredients You'll Need to Make Pasta with Ricotta and Peas
- How to Make Pasta with Ricotta
- Meal Prep Tips
- Possible Ingredient Substitutions for Pasta with Ricotta and Peas
- Variations of Pasta with Ricotta and Peas
- Equipment
- Storage
- Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
- Pair this Dish With a Great Dessert
- Recipe Details
- Meal Prep Tips
- PIN it for later here
- Food Safety
- Comments
Glorious pasta, creamy ricotta, and vibrant peas will make taste buds do the happy dance like a symphony of flavors performing an Italian opera on your tongue. So grab your aprons and prepare for some serious saucy business, because this pasta extravaganza is about to rock your culinary world!
Any time is the perfect time to make this dish. Enjoy this creamy ricotta pasta in the summer months when peas are at their freshest.
However, if you don't have fresh peas, you can always source them at your local grocery store, either in the fresh produce isles or frozen section.
Did I mention that this ricotta pasta dish can be ready in 10 minutes or less?
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Here's Why You'll Love this Dish for Pasta, Ricotta and Peas
You and your family will adore this dish for creamy ricotta pasta with peas because:
- Quick and Easy: In the rush of daily life, this dish comes together in no time, perfect for busy families seeking a convenient yet delicious meal.
- Creamy Comfort: The creamy ricotta sauce blankets the pasta, creating a comforting and satisfying flavor profile that's sure to please both kids and adults.
- Balanced Nutrition: With the goodness of peas adding a healthy dose of vitamins and fiber, it's a balanced dish that provides nourishment without compromising on taste.
- Kid-Friendly: The mild flavors of ricotta and peas are often appealing to picky eaters, making it a great way to introduce veggies in a subtle yet enjoyable manner.
- Versatile Options: This dish can be easily customized with extra veggies, herbs, or even a protein source, giving families the flexibility to adapt it to their preferences.
Ingredients You'll Need to Make Pasta with Ricotta and Peas
You will need the following ingredients to make pasta with ricotta: spaghetti, ricotta, salt/pepper, peas, parsley and parmesan cheese.
Ricotta Cheese: This dish is anchored by velvety ricotta, lending luxurious creaminess that embodies Italian comfort.
Parmesan Cheese: The addition of parmesan introduces savory depth, while its nutty notes elevate the sauce to a new level of flavor sophistication.
Peas: Vibrant and sweet, peas bring a burst of color and freshness that perfectly complements the creamy richness of the ricotta, creating a harmonious balance on the palate.
See recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Pasta with Ricotta
Cook pasta until al dente, don't forget to salt water and reserve a cup of pasta water.
Mix the ricotta, peas, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper together and place in a bowl large enough to accommodate all the ingredients including the spaghetti.
Using a spaghetti scoop, scoop the pasta into the bowl with the cheese mixture. Add pasta water if too dry.
Serve immediately with a drizzle of olive oil and freshly chopped parsley.
Meal Prep Tips
Remember to save some of the pasta water to add to the pasta, ricotta and peas if it looks to dry.
If you forgot, use a couple of tablespoons of milk as an alternative.
Possible Ingredient Substitutions for Pasta with Ricotta and Peas
If you are not crazy about pasta with ricotta and peas, you could change it up by:
- Cottage Cheese: You can substitute ricotta with cottage cheese for a similar creamy texture and mild flavor.
- Pecorino Cheese: Swap parmesan with pecorino cheese to infuse a slightly sharper and more tangy note to the dish.
- Edamame: If peas are unavailable, consider using edamame beans for a similar pop of color and texture.
- Vegan Cheese: make it vegan by substituting a vegan cheese.
The perfect recipe isn't that far away. I'd love to know how you substituted ingredients to fit your dietary needs. Drop a comment below and let me know!
Variations of Pasta with Ricotta and Peas
Change up this recipe by adding any of these ingredients:
- Spinach and Ricotta: Incorporate sautéed spinach into the ricotta mixture for an extra dose of greens and a delightful earthy flavor.
- Bacon and Peas: Add crispy bacon bits to the dish for a savory and smoky twist that pairs wonderfully with the sweet peas.
- Mushroom Medley: Sauté a mix of mushrooms and fold them into the sauce for an umami-rich dimension that complements the creamy ricotta.
- Lemon Zest and Herbs: Elevate the dish with the freshness of lemon zest and chopped fresh herbs like basil or mint, enhancing the overall aroma and adding a citrusy note.
- Meat: add your favorite protein to the dish for a power house meal.
- Tomato Sauce: add a tangy Marinara Sauce for a twist, heck add some red pepper flakes too!
These variations offer exciting ways to tailor the dish to your taste preferences and create new culinary experiences. Enjoy experimenting in the kitchen!
If you can think of any other way to make this dish unique, go for it!
Equipment
You won't need a lot of equipment to make this recipe. A large pot, a spaghetti spoon or colander and wooden spoons will come in handy.
Storage
Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
This pasta dish is meant to be eaten fresh so it's safe to say that these ingredients don't stand up well to freezing.
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
In my honest opinion, I never met a pasta that didn't go well with ricotta. Ricotta and pasta go together very well. Make your ricotta more creamy by adding pasta water or a couple of tablespoons of milk.
My mother never added ricotta to lasagna so I'll say that the original lasagna dish was made with ground beef and ricotta was not included.
Yes. You can add ricotta to pasta to make a creamy comforting pasta dish that's quick and easy.
Pair this Dish With a Great Dessert
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Recipe Details
Pasta with Ricotta and Peas
Ingredients
- 500 g Ricotta Cheese
- 1 cup Peas fresh or frozen shelled
- 450 g Spaghetti
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
- 1 tbsp Parsley finely chopped
- ½ tsp Salt
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta until al dente, don't forget to salt water and reserve a cup of pasta water.
- Mix the ricotta, peas, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper together and place in a bowl large enough to accommodate all the ingredients including the spaghetti.
- Using a spaghetti scoop, scoop the pasta into the bowl with the cheese mixture. Add pasta water if too dry.
- Serve immediately with a drizzle of olive oil and freshly chopped parsley.
Notes
Meal Prep Tips
Remember to save some of the pasta water to add to the pasta, ricotta and peas if it looks to dry. If you forgot, use a couple of tablespoons of milk as an alternative.Nutrition
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Food Safety
Note that the storage guidelines provided on this page and site are estimates from personal experiences. We are all adults and as an adult you are responsible to ensure that the food you eat is safe to eat. Since, I'm not a food safety expert, you are responsible to review your local guidelines on food storage prior to storing any food left-overs.
Remember to:
- Not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
For Canadian Guidelines check Government of Canada's Food and Safety Guidelines, see more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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