Description
A quick and comforting dinner option featuring creamy ricotta and bright basil pesto blended with kid-friendly penne pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces dry penne pasta
- 1/2 cup pesto sauce
- 1/2 cup full-fat ricotta cheese
- 3/4 cup reserved pasta cooking water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
- Optional add-ons: Cherry tomatoes, cooked chicken, sautéed mushrooms, toasted walnuts or almonds
Instructions
- Prep quickly: measure the pesto, ricotta, lemon juice, and zest, and have your Parmesan ready.
- Boil a large pot of salted water for the pasta.
- Cook the penne according to package directions, usually 9–11 minutes.
- Reserve 3/4 cup of the hot pasta water before draining.
- Drain the pasta in a colander without rinsing.
- Warm the pesto in a skillet over low heat for 30–60 seconds.
- Stir in the ricotta until smooth.
- Add reserved pasta water gradually until the sauce is creamy.
- Season with salt, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat.
- Serve immediately topped with Parmesan and fresh basil.
Notes
Feel free to customize with your favorite add-ons or adjustments.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: pasta, pesto, ricotta, kid-friendly, quick dinner, Italian