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Basil Ricotta Sauce Recipe

Transform your weeknight pasta dinner with this unbelievably quick and flavorful Basil Ricotta Sauce! Perfect for a comforting meal, this recipe uses fresh basil and creamy ricotta for a sauce that's ready in just 10 minutes. Best served over 1 pound of tubular pasta like penne, rigatoni, or ziti.

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Calories 348.5 kcal
Protein 43g
Rating 4.0 (2 Reviews)
Basil Ricotta Sauce

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Passionate home cook & Forktionary contributor.

Ingredients for Basil Ricotta Sauce

  • Part Skim Ricotta Cheese
  • Fresh Basil
  • Green Onion
  • Roasted Red Pepper
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Chicken Broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • White Wine
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)

How to Make Basil Ricotta Sauce

  1. In a large bowl, combine 15 ounces of ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup packed fresh basil leaves (roughly chopped), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 2 tablespoons olive oil, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
  2. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Start with 1 teaspoon of salt and adjust as needed.
  3. Cook 1 pound of your favorite tubular pasta according to package directions.
  4. Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
  5. Add the cooked pasta to the ricotta mixture. Toss gently to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add a little pasta water at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
  6. Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil leaves and Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Chef's Tip for Extra Flavor

Want to unlock deeper, more complex flavors? Try toasting your whole spices before grinding them, or blooming ground spices in a little warm oil to enhance their aroma. Deglazing your pan with a bit of stock, wine, or even water after browning ingredients can capture those tasty caramelized bits, adding richness to your dish.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

29 g

Sugar

4g

Fat

50g

Carbs

3g

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15 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Occasion North American Sauces Condiments Etc Eggs Dairy Vegetables American Easy European No Cook Romantic Italian Cheese Dietary High Calcium Comfort Food Low Carb High In Something Low In Something Onions Peppers Taste Mood Number Of Servings Presentation Served Cold 3 Steps Or Less Technique