Kamil Perry
Pasta with ricotta cheese is a simple, comforting, and versatile Italian dish that can be made in numerous ways. It is a quick and easy meal that can be whipped up in less than 15 minutes with just a few basic ingredients. The creamy ricotta sauce can be made with olive oil, parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon, and pasta water, and tossed with roasted vegetables or meat. It can also be made with tomato sauce, passata, basil, and pasta water, and served with grated parmesan cheese. This dish is perfect for those who are not fond of seafood or tomato-based pasta sauces.
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What You'll Learn
How to make a ricotta sauce
Ricotta sauce is a simple and versatile dish that can be made in a variety of ways to suit different tastes and dietary requirements. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a basic ricotta sauce, followed by some suggestions for variations and additions.
Basic Ricotta Sauce:
Firstly, bring a pot of water to a boil. Add salt to the water, then add your choice of pasta and cook until it is al dente. It is important to reserve some of the starchy pasta water before draining the pasta. Next, heat some olive oil in a separate pan over medium heat. Add a clove of garlic to the oil and swirl it around to infuse the oil with a subtle garlic flavour. Remove the garlic once it starts to sizzle. Add the ricotta to the pan and heat it slightly, stirring until it becomes creamy and melted. If your pasta is not yet cooked, turn the heat down to low. Combine the cooked pasta with the ricotta sauce and mix well. Add a little pasta water to the mixture to make it even creamier and help it emulsify.
Variations and Additions:
There are numerous ways to adapt and build upon this basic ricotta sauce to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. Here are some ideas:
- Tomato Ricotta Sauce: To create a rich and creamy tomato ricotta sauce, add passata and fresh basil to the basic ricotta sauce. Continue adding small amounts of pasta water and mixing until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Lemon Ricotta Sauce: For a zesty lemon ricotta sauce, combine the ricotta with olive oil, parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Vegetables: Stir in some sautéed spinach, zucchini, peas, or roasted broccoli for added flavour and nutrition.
- Meat and Seafood: For a heartier dish, add cooked meat such as pork, sausage, grilled chicken, or shrimp. Alternatively, create a seafood-themed dish with lobster or monkfish.
- Cheese: Top the dish with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano, Romano, or Parmesan cheese for an extra cheesy touch.
- Sugar: For a touch of sweetness, add a small amount of sugar to the ricotta sauce, as suggested by some Italian grandmothers.
Feel free to experiment with different combinations of these ingredients and adjust the seasoning to suit your taste. Enjoy your creamy and delicious ricotta sauce!
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Which pasta shapes work best
When cooking pasta with ricotta cheese, you can use any pasta shape you like. However, some shapes are better suited to certain types of sauces and ingredients. For example, long, thin pasta shapes like spaghetti are often used with lighter, oil-based sauces, while shorter, tubular shapes like penne or fusilli are better for thicker, creamier sauces.
Ricotta cheese is a soft, creamy cheese that can be used to create a creamy sauce for pasta. Therefore, pasta shapes with ridges, tubes, or crevices may work better as the sauce will cling to these shapes and provide more flavour in each bite. Examples of pasta shapes that would work well with ricotta cheese include:
- Penne
- Rigatoni
- Fusilli
- Orecchiette
- Campanelle
- Shells
These shapes will allow the ricotta sauce to coat the pasta nicely and provide a creamy texture and flavour. Additionally, these shapes are versatile and can be used with various ingredients and sauces, making them a good choice for a variety of ricotta pasta dishes.
Ultimately, the choice of pasta shape depends on personal preference and the specific recipe being followed. However, the above-mentioned shapes tend to work well with ricotta cheese and can create delicious and creamy pasta dishes.
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Adding vegetables to the dish
There are several ways to add vegetables to pasta with ricotta cheese. Here are some ideas:
Spinach
Add spinach to the pasta towards the end of its cooking time. Drain the pasta and spinach, then add the ricotta sauce and stir to combine. This is a great way to add some extra nutrients to the dish, and the spinach will wilt slightly so it's easy to mix into the pasta.
Broccoli
Roast broccoli florets in the oven while you prepare the rest of the dish. Broccoli goes well with the creamy ricotta sauce, and roasting it gives a nice charred flavour. You can also add other roasted vegetables, such as cauliflower or asparagus.
Peas
Stir cooked peas into the pasta and ricotta mixture. Peas add a pop of colour and a sweet flavour to the dish. Frozen peas are a convenient option, as they can be quickly cooked on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Zucchini
Sauté zucchini until it's tender, then stir it into the pasta with ricotta. Zucchini has a mild flavour that pairs well with ricotta, and it adds a nice contrast in texture to the dish. You can also add other summer squash, such as yellow squash, for a colourful dish.
Lemon
Although not a vegetable, adding lemon zest and juice to the ricotta sauce can completely transform the dish. It adds a zesty, refreshing flavour that pairs well with vegetables like spinach or zucchini. Lemon also helps to brighten up the flavour of the dish and make it taste lighter.
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How to serve and plate the pasta
Once your pasta is cooked, you can plate and serve it in a variety of ways. Firstly, you can add the ricotta to the pasta and mix it through, coating the pasta in the sauce. You can then add some extra ricotta on top, either warm or cold, for a different but delicious effect. You can also add some grated parmesan, Romano, or parmigiano reggiano to the top. Adding a basil leaf is another option for a fresh, herby flavour.
If you want to add some extra ingredients to your pasta, you can include cooked tiny peas, spinach, zucchini, grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp, or roasted broccoli. You can also add some meat to the sauce, such as pork hocks or sausage. For a sweet touch, you can add a spoonful of sugar to the ricotta, or even some lobster tails if you're feeling fancy!
Some recipes suggest using a pasta scooper to place the pasta into bowls, before dividing the ricotta mixture among them. You can also add the ricotta to the bowl first, and then add the pasta on top. It is best to serve this dish immediately, as it can dry out once cooled. However, if you have leftovers, you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to three days.
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Storing and reheating leftovers
Storing and reheating ricotta pasta leftovers:
Leftover pasta with ricotta cheese should be stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container. It will stay fresh for up to three to four days. If you don't think you'll eat the leftovers within this time, you can freeze them for up to six months. However, it is recommended to keep the noodles and sauce separate if freezing.
When you're ready to enjoy your leftovers, there are several ways to reheat your ricotta pasta. One option is to place the pasta in a microwave-safe dish and sprinkle a few drops of water or milk on top. Cover the dish and heat the pasta on medium heat for five minutes. Another option is to use a skillet: add olive oil to the skillet on medium heat, followed by your pasta. If your pasta contains dairy, such as ricotta cheese, heat it on low to avoid drying out the pasta. You can also add more milk or cream as it heats for extra moisture.
If you're reheating a larger batch of pasta, the oven is a good option. Place the pasta in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes.
You can also reheat pasta by-boiling. Place a colander over a pot of boiling water and let the pasta sit for about 30 seconds. Remove the colander from the water, toss the pasta with your sauce, and serve.
It is not recommended to reheat pasta more than once, as it will lose its texture and become dry and clumpy.
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Frequently asked questions
To cook pasta with ricotta cheese, boil water in a pot, add salt, and cook the pasta until al dente. Prepare the ricotta sauce by mixing ricotta, olive oil, parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon zest, and juice. Drain the pasta, add it to the sauce, and mix well. Serve immediately.
Some variations of pasta with ricotta cheese include adding spinach, zucchini, peas, grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon. You can also create a tomato-based sauce with passata, basil, and ricotta. Additionally, roasted broccoli is a popular addition, creating a skillet ricotta pasta.
The amount of ricotta cheese to use depends on your preference and the number of servings. A good starting point is 250g of ricotta for a creamy and smooth sauce. You can adjust the amount based on your desired consistency.
Yes, you can make pasta with ricotta cheese ahead of time, but it is best enjoyed fresh. If you have leftovers, store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The pasta tends to dry out once cooled, so adding a little pasta water can help restore its creaminess.
