Zesty Lemon Butter Pasta with Ricotta & Spicy Breadcrumbs Recipe

Creamy, tangy lemon butter pasta with ricotta creates a delightful symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Silky strands of pasta nestle perfectly with rich, velvety ricotta cheese.

The zesty lemon butter sauce brings a bright, refreshing dimension to this comforting dish.

Spicy breadcrumbs add a crunchy contrast that elevates every single bite.

Weeknight dinners demand simple yet spectacular meals like this.

Each forkful promises a luxurious blend of textures and tastes that will leave you craving more.

Let’s unlock this delectable culinary experience that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta Ingredients

• Pasta: A classic Italian staple that serves as the foundation of this delightful dish.

• Ricotta: A creamy, mild Italian cheese that adds richness and smoothness to the pasta.

• Zucchini, Garlic, Thyme: Fresh vegetables and herbs that provide depth of flavor and earthy undertones to the dish.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Essential fats that create a silky texture and carry rich flavors throughout the recipe.
• Lemon, Basil: Bright, fresh ingredients that add zesty and herbal notes to the pasta.

• Breadcrumbs, Capers, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: A spicy and crispy mixture that adds texture and a kick of heat to the dish.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that help balance and enhance the overall flavor profile of the pasta.

Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta Steps

Step 1: Create Spicy Crunchy Topping

Heat a large skillet over medium heat.

Add olive oil, breadcrumbs, capers, and crushed red pepper flakes.

Cook while stirring occasionally until breadcrumbs turn golden and capers become crispy, about 4 minutes.

Remove the mixture and sprinkle with salt.

Step 2: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Cook pasta until it reaches al dente texture.

Drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 3: Caramelize Lemon Slices

Set skillet over medium-high heat.

Add butter and lemon slices.

Sear until lemon develops a beautiful caramelized color, approximately 1 minute per side.

Remove lemon slices and finely chop.

Mix chopped lemon with fresh basil.

Step 4: Sauté Vegetables

• Remaining butter
• Zucchini
• Garlic
• Thyme

Season with salt and pepper.

Cook until zucchini turns golden and garlic becomes fragrant, about 5 minutes.

Remove from heat and gently stir in pasta and half of the lemon-basil mixture.

Step 5: Assemble and Serve

Spread ricotta cheese into serving bowls.

Transfer pasta into bowls.

Generously top with prepared breadcrumb mixture and remaining lemon-basil combination.

Twirl pasta with cheese and enjoy the delightful flavors.

Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta Tips

• Watch the skillet closely and stir occasionally to ensure even, golden-brown toasting without burning the capers or breadcrumbs.
• Sear lemon slices quickly on medium-high heat to create a beautiful caramelized flavor without making them bitter.
• Keep an eye on the zucchini and garlic, stirring frequently to achieve a golden color and prevent burning while maintaining a tender texture.
• Finely chop the caramelized lemon and basil to distribute flavors evenly throughout the pasta, creating a bright and fresh taste profile.

Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta Options

• Gluten-Free Zucchini Pasta Spin: Replace regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta for a low-carb and celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Herb Delight: Swap ricotta with cashew cream, use plant-based butter, and swap breadcrumbs for nutritional yeast crumble for a dairy-free alternative.
• Mediterranean Herb Remix: Substitute zucchini with roasted eggplant, add kalamata olives, and sprinkle feta cheese instead of ricotta for a Greek-inspired transformation.
• Protein-Packed Power Bowl: Add grilled chicken or crispy tofu cubes to increase protein content, making it a more substantial meal for athletes or fitness enthusiasts.

Serving Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta

• Sunny Summer Dinner Delight: Perfect for enjoying on a warm evening with friends, this vibrant pasta dish brings fresh Mediterranean flavors to your table.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the zesty lemon and rich ricotta with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to enhance the dish's bright notes.
• Veggie Boost Option: Enhance the recipe by adding grilled asparagus, roasted cherry tomatoes, or sautéed spinach for extra nutrition and color variety.
• Leftovers Transformation: Repurpose remaining pasta by turning it into a cold salad with additional fresh herbs, a drizzle of olive oil, and extra lemon zest for a refreshing lunch option.

Storing Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Keep breadcrumbs separate to maintain crispiness.
• Transfer pasta to a freezer-safe container, excluding ricotta and breadcrumbs. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Avoid freezing zucchini-based dishes for best texture.
• Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add splash of water or olive oil to prevent drying. Stir gently to redistribute ingredients and heat evenly.
• Place pasta in microwave-safe dish. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each. Top with fresh breadcrumbs and ricotta after reheating to preserve texture.

FAQs

• Can I substitute zucchini with another vegetable?

Yes, you can easily replace zucchini with yellow squash, asparagus, or spinach for similar texture and freshness.

• Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?

Absolutely! This lemon butter pasta is completely vegetarian-friendly and packed with delicious flavors from herbs, breadcrumbs, and ricotta.

• How spicy are the breadcrumbs?

The crushed red pepper flakes provide a mild to moderate heat level. You can adjust the amount of pepper flakes to make it more or less spicy according to your preference.

• Do I need any special cooking skills to make this dish?

Not at all. This recipe is straightforward and perfect for home cooks of all skill levels. The steps are simple and the ingredients are easy to find.

Lemon Butter Ricotta Pasta Standouts

• Kickstart Flavor Explosion: Spicy breadcrumbs and capers create a bold, crunchy topping that transforms ordinary pasta into an exciting culinary adventure.
• Master Quick Cooking Skills: This recipe teaches simple techniques like toasting breadcrumbs, caramelizing lemon, and sautéing zucchini with minimal professional cooking experience required.
• Customize Your Comfort Meal: Easily adaptable recipe allows home cooks to adjust spice levels, swap vegetables, or modify ingredients based on personal taste preferences and pantry availability.
• Impress Dinner Guests: Elegant presentation with ricotta spread, twirled pasta, and gourmet-looking spicy breadcrumbs makes this dish look like a restaurant-quality meal prepared at home.

Lemon Butter Pasta with Ricotta and Spicy Breadcrumbs Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Silky lemon butter pasta with ricotta dances with spicy breadcrumbs, creating a Mediterranean-inspired symphony of comfort and zest. Creamy, tangy, and crunchy notes blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each delightful forkful of this irresistible Italian-style dish.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Main Ingredients:

• 0.75 pounds angel hair pasta
• 8 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1 zucchini or yellow summer squash
• 3–4 cloves garlic

Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 tablespoons drained capers
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2–1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 cup fresh basil
• 1 lemon
• kosher salt
• black pepper

Cooking and Topping Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 6 tablespoons cold salted butter

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft the spicy breadcrumbs by heating olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Toast breadcrumbs with capers and crushed red pepper flakes, stirring frequently until golden and crisp, approximately 4 minutes. Remove and season with salt.
2. Boil a pot of salted water and cook pasta until perfectly al dente. Drain pasta thoroughly.
3. Caramelize lemon slices in a skillet over medium-high heat with butter, searing each side for roughly 1 minute. Finely chop the caramelized lemon and blend with fresh basil.
4. In the same skillet, melt remaining butter and sauté zucchini, garlic, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper, cooking until zucchini turns golden and garlic becomes fragrant, about 5 minutes. Carefully stir in cooked pasta and half the lemon-basil mixture.
5. Spread ricotta cheese across serving bowls. Transfer the pasta directly onto the ricotta. Generously sprinkle the crispy spiced breadcrumbs on top. Finish with remaining lemon-basil mixture. Gently twirl pasta to incorporate the creamy ricotta.

Notes

• Prevent burning breadcrumbs by stirring frequently and keeping heat at medium, watching carefully during toasting.
• Choose fresh zucchini with firm texture to ensure golden crispy edges when sautéing in butter.
• Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing red pepper flakes based on personal heat tolerance.
• Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta for celiac-friendly version without compromising delicious flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 580 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg