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pesto ricotta pasta in a light grey bowl on a beige cloth with a for on it next to a glass jar of pesto.
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5 from 13 votes

Ricotta Pesto Pasta

Creamy and delicious, with the best tang of flavour from pesto, this ricotta pesto pasta is the easy weeknight dinner you will return to over and over again!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Dish
Cuisine: American, British, Italian
Diet: Vegetarian
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 295kcal
Author: Claire

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 oz pasta
  • 2 tablespoon ricotta cheese
  • 2 tablespoon pesto more to preference
  • pinch salt
  • pinch black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar optional
  • basil leaves to garnish

For the pesto (suggested recipe)*

Instructions

  • Cook your pasta according to packet instructions, so that is al dente. Make sure to reserve a cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta in a colander.
    4 oz pasta
  • Make your pesto if using a homemade recipe.
  • Combine the pesto and ricotta in your pot, along with 2 tablespoons of the pasta water. Stir to a cream sauce, adding more of the pasta water as needed. You can of course also spoon in more of either the pesto or cheese if you like more sauce. For a little kick of acid, add the (optional) apple cider vinegar.
    2 tablespoon ricotta cheese, 2 tablespoon pesto, ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • Add the pasta back into the pot and stir well so it is coated in the sauce.
  • Use tongs to transfer the pasta to your serving bowl, and season with salt and black pepper. Add a few fresh basil leaves to garnish, then serve immediately.
    pinch salt, basil leaves, pinch black pepper

Notes

*This recipe may make a little more pesto than you require, depending upon your preference.
  • Make sure to reserve the pasta water! It's a key part of making the sauce, and for it to go all creamy and delicious.
  • Adjust the ratio of cheese and pesto to taste preference, and add a spoonful (or more!) if you like more sauce.
  • Try out different pesto recipes for the dish! If you are nut free then my pumpkin seed pesto (as set out above) is so tasty!
  • Use an alternative gluten free pasta if required.
  • Please note that nutritional information is offered as a courtesy. It is auto-generated and should be understood to be an estimate not a guarantee.
 
Swiss Interest Group Histamine Intolerance (SIGHI) food compatibility list for histamine
All ingredients score 0 on the SIGHI list with the exception of:
  • wheat (pasta), scores 1.
  • pesto will depend upon ingredients used.

Nutrition

Calories: 295kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 156mg | Potassium: 142mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 369IU | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 1mg