Description
A bright and creamy Lemony Ricotta Pasta Sauce paired with juicy sautéed shrimp, combining tangy ricotta and Parmesan with fresh basil and a hint of chili flakes for a flavorful and quick 25-minute meal perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 ounces short-shaped pasta
Cheese Sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Herbs and Flavorings
- ½ cup chopped basil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pinch chili flakes
Shrimp and Cooking
- 1 ½ lb shrimp
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
- Make Ricotta Mixture: While the water heats, whisk together the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl until combined.
- Optional Smooth Blend: For a smoother sauce texture, blend the ricotta mixture until smooth using a blender or food processor. This step is optional based on your texture preference.
- Prepare Shrimp: In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of chili flakes to coat evenly.
- Cook Shrimp: Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp turn opaque and are cooked through, about 3 minutes.
- Combine and Finish: Add the cooked pasta and ricotta mixture to the pan with shrimp. Gradually pour in some of the reserved pasta water, stirring continuously, until the sauce reaches a creamy consistency. You won’t need all the reserved water. Stir in the chopped basil and serve immediately.
Notes
- Blending the ricotta mixture creates a smoother, creamier sauce, but stirring as-is works well for a more rustic texture.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency—it helps the sauce cling to the pasta and shrimp.
- Use fresh shrimp for best flavor, but frozen, thawed shrimp works too.
- Adjust chili flakes according to your spice preference.
- Short-shaped pasta like penne or rigatoni is ideal to hold the creamy sauce well.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
