Forktionary

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 118

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Basil Ricotta Sauce

  • 15 ounces Part Skim Ricotta Cheese
  • 1/4 cup packed Fresh Basil Leaves, roughly chopped, plus extra for garnish
  • Not included in recipe
  • Not included in recipe
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese, plus extra for garnish
  • Not included in recipe
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • Not included in recipe
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
  • Salt, to taste (start with 1 teaspoon)
  • Freshly Ground Black Pepper, to taste
  • 1 pound Tubular Pasta, such as rigatoni, penne, or ziti
  • 1/2 cup Reserved Pasta Water

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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.

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