Best 3 Creamy Ricotta Pasta Sauce Recipes

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Creamy ricotta pasta sauce is a rich, decadent, and creamy sauce that is sure to please even the most discerning palate. Originating from the culinary traditions of Italy, this sauce is made with a blend of ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and a variety of herbs and spices. The ricotta cheese provides a smooth and creamy texture, while the Parmesan cheese adds a nutty and salty flavor. The heavy cream adds richness and depth of flavor, and the herbs and spices provide a layer of complexity and aroma. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a special occasion dish, creamy ricotta pasta sauce is a versatile and delicious option that is sure to impress.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

CREAMY RICOTTA PASTA SAUCE



Creamy Ricotta Pasta Sauce image

A simple marriage of ricotta cheese, egg, and a secret ingredient make for a sauce that's even creamier than those that use heavy cream, which can be a bit too rich and filling. I mean, come on, I'm trying to save room for the tiramisu. Ricotta gives this sauce a cheesy tanginess that we don't get with heavy cream. I love to top this pasta with lots of ricotta salata, a great summer cheese.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 8

8 ounces orecchiette pasta
½ cup ricotta cheese
1 large egg
1 teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 lemon, zested
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
¼ cup pesto, or to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook orecchiette according to package directions, reducing time by 1 minute, about 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, combine ricotta cheese, egg, salt, pepper, lemon zest, and cayenne pepper in a bowl. Mix until a paste forms. Add 1/3 cup hot pasta water and whisk well. Repeat with another 1/3 cup pasta water.
  • Transfer pasta to a saucepan using a strainer, letting most, but not all, the water drain off. Reserve cooking water. Add the sauce mixture and turn heat to medium. Cook and stir until sauce thickens enough to coat the pasta evenly, about 2 minutes. Add more pasta water if sauce gets too thick. Stir in pesto. Taste and season as desired. Transfer pasta to a warm bowl.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 296.6 calories, Carbohydrate 42.4 g, Cholesterol 51.5 mg, Fat 9.4 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 11.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.3 g, Sodium 616.7 mg, Sugar 1.1 g

DELICIOUS AND SIMPLE RICOTTA AND TOMATO PASTA SAUCE



Delicious and Simple Ricotta and Tomato Pasta Sauce image

I just love this recipe! Mum used to make this for us when we were kids. It's apparently a traditional Roman dish, great for vegetarians and very easy and quick to whip up, an awesome dish with a real 'rustic' feel to it! The kids will love it! It is to be served on top of steaming, hot pasta...wholemeal pasta works quite well with this recipe too! Enjoy!

Provided by LovelyRitaMeterMaid

Categories     Sauces

Time 15m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups fresh ricotta
1 (400 g) can crushed tomatoes
1 yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon coarse ground pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 leaves fresh basil
1 (500 g) package pasta (spirals work well with this recipe)

Steps:

  • Firstly, put on a large pot of salted water and bring to the boil, add pasta to water and cook until'al dente' approximately 8- 10 minutes.
  • While pasta is on the go, finely dice your onion and crush your garlic.
  • In a saucepan, put in the olive oil, when the oil is warm, add your garlic and onion and gently saute these until they are transparent.
  • Add the ricotta to the pan, and stir through the onions and garlic well.
  • At this stage, add your salt and pepper, parmesan, crushed tomatoes and tomato paste.
  • Mix well and let simmer gently for 10 minutes.
  • Drain pasta.
  • Turn the ricotta sauce off from the heat, add your fresh basil leaves, roughly torn, into the sauce.
  • Dish up some pasta into a bowl, put some of the ricotta sauce on top of the pasta, and finish off with some extra shavings of parmesan if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 762.9, Fat 22.2, SaturatedFat 11.5, Cholesterol 64.9, Sodium 979.2, Carbohydrate 107.8, Fiber 6, Sugar 8, Protein 32.5

CREAMY PASTA WITH RICOTTA AND HERBS



Creamy Pasta With Ricotta and Herbs image

In this simple, springy pasta, milky ricotta thinned out with a little starchy pasta cooking water makes for a saucy, soupy dish that's seasoned with loads of black pepper and herbs. For the best flavor, use at least three different kinds of herbs, break out some nicer olive oil and look for fresh ricotta. Lemon lovers can grate in the zest of half a lemon as well.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     weekday, pastas, main course

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

Salt
1 pound short pasta, such as shells, cavatappi, chiocciole, farfalle, ditali or wagon wheels
12 ounces fresh, whole-milk ricotta (about 1 1/2 cups)
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper, plus more for serving
2 1/2 cups coarsely chopped soft herbs, such as basil, chives, fennel fronds, parsley, mint, tarragon, chervil or dill (try for a combination of at least 3 kinds)

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve 2 cups pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
  • In the same pot, make the sauce: Add ricotta, Parmesan, olive oil, pepper and a large pinch or two of salt, and stir until well combined.
  • Add 1 cup pasta water to the sauce and stir until smooth. Add the pasta and herbs, and continue to stir vigorously until the noodles are well coated. Add more pasta water as needed for a smooth, soupy sauce. Taste and add more salt if needed.
  • To serve, spoon the pasta into bowls and finish with more Parmesan, olive oil and pepper.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh ricotta cheese, flavorful herbs, and creamy butter will make a big difference in the taste of your sauce.
  • Don't overcook the sauce: Ricotta cheese can easily become grainy if it's overcooked. Cook it over low heat and stir constantly until it's just heated through.
  • Season to taste: The amount of salt, pepper, and other seasonings you need will depend on your personal preference. Taste the sauce as you cook it and adjust the seasonings accordingly.
  • Serve immediately: Ricotta sauce is best served fresh. If you need to make it ahead of time, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it gently over low heat before serving.
  • Garnish with fresh herbs: A sprinkle of fresh herbs, such as basil, parsley, or chives, will add a pop of color and flavor to your dish.

Conclusion:

Creamy ricotta pasta sauce is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used on a variety of dishes. It's perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a special occasion dinner. With its creamy texture and rich flavor, ricotta sauce is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a new pasta sauce to try, give creamy ricotta sauce a try. You won't be disappointed!

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