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Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Shrimp (Creamy & Fresh Dinner Recipe)

Lemon ricotta pasta with shrimp in a creamy lemon sauce

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This lemon ricotta pasta with shrimp is creamy, zesty, and weeknight-fast—ready in 25 minutes with silky ricotta, fresh lemon, and tender shrimp.

Ingredients

Scale

8 oz pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne)

1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 tbsp olive oil

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 lemon (zest & juice)

1/2 cup whole milk ricotta

1/2 cup reserved pasta water

1/3 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)

1 tsp kosher salt (plus more for pasta water)

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Parmesan, to serve (optional)

Instructions

1. Boil salted water; cook pasta 1 minute shy of al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.

2. Pat shrimp dry and season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon; rest 5–10 minutes.

3. Warm olive oil in a skillet; sauté garlic and (optional) thyme until fragrant, ~2 minutes.

4. Add shrimp; cook until just pink. Stir in lemon zest, juice, and wine/broth; simmer 1–2 minutes.

5. Temper ricotta with a few tablespoons of hot sauce, then stir back into the pan.

6. Toss in pasta; loosen with pasta water to a silky sauce. Finish with parsley, red pepper, and Parmesan.

Notes

Temper the ricotta to prevent curdling and keep the sauce ultra-smooth.

Add spinach, asparagus, or cherry tomatoes for extra veggies.

Best fresh; refrigerate up to 2 days and reheat gently with a splash of water or broth.

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