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Creamy Broccoli-Ricotta Pasta

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A quick, weeknight-friendly pasta tossed with tender broccoli florets in a silky ricotta-Parmesan sauce brightened with lemon and a hint of heat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) dry rigatoni or other short pasta
  • 4–5 cups broccoli florets (about 1 large crown)
  • 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 Tbsp lemon zest (from 1 large lemon)
  • 3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2–1 tsp red-chili flakes, to taste
  • 3/4 tsp kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup reserved hot pasta cooking water, as needed
  • (Optional) 2 cups cooked diced chicken or sautéed shrimp

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions, stirring occasionally.
  2. When pasta is 3–4 minutes shy of al dente, add broccoli florets to the same pot. Continue cooking until pasta is al dente and broccoli is bright green and tender, about 3 minutes more. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain pasta and broccoli.
  3. Return drained pasta and broccoli to the empty pot off the heat. Add ricotta, Parmesan, lemon zest and juice, chili flakes, salt, pepper, and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Stir briskly until a creamy sauce coats the noodles, adding more water a splash at a time to reach desired silkiness.
  4. If using, fold in cooked chicken or shrimp. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or chili flakes.
  5. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan and a grind of black pepper.

Notes

  • Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 4 days.
  • Freeze: Freeze up to 3 months; thaw overnight before reheating.
  • Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce.
  • For extra protein without meat, stir in a can of rinsed white beans.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy broccoli ricotta pasta, lemon ricotta pasta, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://recipesfoodeasy.com/creamy-broccoli-ricotta-pasta/