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    TaraTeaspoon » Course » Main Dish » Pasta

    This page contains affiliate and sponsored links. See my full disclosure.

    Published: by

    Fresh Green Pesto Pasta with Lemon Ricotta Cream

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe Jump to Comments
    Pinterest image for Fresh Green Pesto Pasta with text
    Spring pesto pasta with ricotta cream pin

    Fresh Green Pesto Pasta With Lemon Ricotta Cream makes me swoon. It's is the perfect way to get a fresh taste of summer using winter ingredients during chilly months.


    We are right smack in the middle of that time when baby greens, herbs and veggies have started emerging from the earth; but the days are still cool enough that you want a little comfort food every once in a while. A flavorful pasta with a bit of creaminess is just the thing.

    Pasta and pesto in brown bowl with a dollop of lemon cream with fork and blue napkin.

    What is Classic Pesto

    I love making pesto in the summer when there is basil growing everywhere. My go-to recipe for Classic Pesto is very straightforward. I use just basil, some pine nuts, Parmesan and garlic in the right amounts for a fresh summer sauce. In these cooler months I mix up the greens and use only a little basil for flavor. It isn't growing in the garden right now and can get a little pricey.

    Fresh green pesto pasta is made with simple ingredients.

    How to make winter pesto:

    I mix the basil with some flat-leaf parsley and baby spinach. Both have lovely, simple flavors but add an herby green punch that's just right for pasta. Frozen peas, available and tasty all year, add some sweetness to the sauce since I don't have all the lovely basil going on. Raw almonds give the sauce that great texture in place of the pine nuts and lemon juice adds brightness.

    What is the best food processor?

    I really like this food processor. If you don’t already have one, I’d suggest this honey. It’s the perfect size for my NY apartment, while still being big enough to blend my pestos, my pie crusts and hold a decent batch of hummus.

    Cuisinart Food processor

    Citrus like lemons adds a bright freshness to a sweet and savory cream topping for this fresh green pesto pasta.

    The ricotta cream is a home run for this dish. Oh my, it's delicious! If you save a little to the side it's so perfect on toasted French bread the next day. Just two flavors, lemon zest and pepper, make this dollop of cream genius. Spoon a bit on top of each serving of pesto pasta and with every twirl of your fork the creaminess mixes in.

    Ricotta cream with ingredients in rustic bowl with spoon on brown background

    Other uses for this delicious pesto:

    If you are just using half of the pesto for dinner (little kid portions aren't as big as the recipe yield), it keeps in a covered container for about a week. Spread it on sandwiches or serve it on top of chicken other nights.

    Winter pesto spaghetti with lemon ricotta

    Fresh Green Pesto Pasta with Lemon Ricotta Cream

    Tara Teaspoon
    A dollop of creamy ricotta tops a swirl of spaghetti that’s been tossed with rich, green pesto. Be sure to cook your pasta in generously salted water for the best flavor all around.
    4.50 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4 Servings
    Calories 911 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For the Lemon Ricotta:

    • 1 cup ricotta
    • ¼ cup whipping cream
    • Zest of 1 lemon
    • ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper

    For the pesto pasta:

    • 1 cup packed flat leaf parsley tough stems removed
    • 1 cup packed baby spinach leaves
    • ½ cup basil leaves
    • ½ cup frozen peas thawed
    • ⅓ cup raw almonds
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 small clove garlic
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 pound spaghetti noodles cooked and drained

    Instructions
     

    • Combine the ricotta, cream, lemon zest and pepper in a bowl and whip with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about a minute. Set aside.
    • In a food processor combine parsley, spinach, basil, peas, almonds, lemon juice, garlic and salt. Pulse until finely chopped. Drizzle in olive oil while pulsing and mix the pesto until quite smooth and combined.
    • Toss pesto with hot, drained pasta and divide between bowls. Add a dollop of Lemon Ricotta on top of each bowl and garnish with extra lemon zest and pepper.

    Notes

    My go-to recipe for Classic Pesto is very straightforward. I use just basil, some pine nuts, Parmesan and garlic in the right amounts for a fresh summer sauce. In these cooler months I mix up the greens and use only a little basil for flavor.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 911kcalCarbohydrates: 94gProtein: 26gFat: 48gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 371mgPotassium: 590mgFiber: 6gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 2755IUVitamin C: 31.5mgCalcium: 230mgIron: 3.8mg
    Want to watch videos to show you how to cook?Check out our Youtube and try this recipe and more.

    Fresh green pesto pasta success. Your family will clean their plates!

    Half eaten pasta in brown bowl and fork

    More delicious main dishes.

    Try Delicious Pasta Recipes Today

    • Warm Salmon and Arugula Pasta Salad
    • Classic Pesto
    • Seared Strip Loin with Linguini with Fennel and Olives
    • Mac and Cheese with Ham and Pearl Onions
    • Ham and Pea Pasta with Parmesan and Basil
    • A Collection Of The Best Summer Pasta Salad Recipes
    • Pasta With Bacon, Tomato and Yellow Squash
    • Pasta Bake: Ravioli with Fresh Tomatoes and Spinach
    Tara in kitchen making salad

    About Tara Teaspoon

    I’ve been in the food publishing business for over 20 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television & advertising. Order my new cookbook & stick around for amazing things to eat.

    Find out more!

    Recipe, food styling, prop styling by Tara Teaspoon. Photography Ty Mecham. Originally appeared on Iheartnaptime.net.

    « Shortcut Potato Herb Flatbread
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    Filed Under: Easy Dinners, Italian, Pasta Tagged With: affiliate, food processor, fresh green pesto pasta, lemon, pasta, pesto, ricotta ricotta cream, spaghetti

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dominique | Perchance to Cook says

      February 22, 2018 at 5:19 pm

      This sounds SOOO good. I haven't tried pesto with peas before but I'm going to now because they are my absolute favorite. The colors and flavors in this pasta sound and look just divine!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 24, 2018 at 10:49 am

        Oh good! I think you'll like it!

        Reply
    2. Sarah says

      February 22, 2018 at 10:37 pm

      Who says basil isn't growing right now? 😛 I have a pot of it growing in my house! lol. I should make this, it looks so creamy and delicious! And I love that lemon ricotta- YUM!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 24, 2018 at 10:48 am

        You're a green thumb!! That's awesome!

        Reply
    3. Neriz @ food and journeys says

      February 23, 2018 at 5:29 am

      I bet this tastes amazing! It never crossed my mind to use peas in a pesto before. I will give this a try tonight -- lucky timing that I have all the ingredients in the fridge. 🙂

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 24, 2018 at 10:48 am

        Oh perfect! I think you'll like it. The peas add a little sweetness when using hearty greens.

        Reply
    4. Jenni says

      February 23, 2018 at 9:59 pm

      Oh man, this is the perfect early spring dish! It looks absolutely stunning!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 24, 2018 at 10:46 am

        Thanks! It is super tasty!

        Reply
    5. David @ Cooking Chat says

      February 24, 2018 at 7:11 am

      I love pesto! Definitely a good idea to use other greens in winter. I often go for kale. I like the idea of the parsley / spinach combo.

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 24, 2018 at 10:46 am

        Yes, the parsley and spinach are a little more mild for a pesto, than kale. It's delish!

        Reply
    6. Eileen Kelly says

      February 25, 2018 at 2:42 am

      I love pesto. I have not tried adding almonds. I have to make your recipe as it looks delicious. So flavorful!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 26, 2018 at 4:43 pm

        Almonds are one of my favorite nuts in pesto for sure.

        Reply
    7. Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says

      February 25, 2018 at 8:03 am

      This recipe sounds fantastic. It's a keeper for sure. I really love adding the sweetness of the peas plus using the almonds for the nuts. Pine nuts are so doggone expensive we use walnuts which could be the nut in this recipe too. Thank you for the inspiration!!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 26, 2018 at 4:43 pm

        I really like almonds in pesto. They don't overpower the flavor, and like you said, a more affordable nut!

        Reply
    8. Jordan says

      February 25, 2018 at 8:28 pm

      Major spring vibes right here! I've been on such a pesto kick lately... can't wait to combine with the lemon ricotta!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 26, 2018 at 4:42 pm

        It is so dreamy with the ricotta!

        Reply
    9. Kristina says

      February 25, 2018 at 10:20 pm

      Love a good homemade pesto recipe, I have one posting myself next week! This lemon cream also take this next level. Looks delicious!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 26, 2018 at 4:42 pm

        Ohhh nice! I'll check yours out!

        Reply
    10. Rezel Kealoha says

      February 25, 2018 at 11:55 pm

      Wow! That green color you got is so amazing! I love pesto and how versatile it is.

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 26, 2018 at 4:42 pm

        Agreed! I dollop extra pesto on so many things!

        Reply
    11. Ben Myhre says

      February 26, 2018 at 7:03 am

      Huh. I have never put ricotta on pesto pasta like this. It looks pretty darn good and I think I will have to give it a try.

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 26, 2018 at 4:41 pm

        Ben it's so great! I hope you love it!

        Reply
    12. Mary Bench says

      July 18, 2018 at 3:37 pm

      Well, this looks divine!

      Reply
    13. Tori says

      September 03, 2019 at 3:32 pm

      I used my go-to pesto recipe with your lemon ricotta recipe. What a great combination of flavors! This was a big hit in my family, and one we will definitely do again as we love pesto. Next time I will try your pesto recipe, too. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        September 10, 2019 at 2:17 pm

        Oh fantastic! I'm glad you like it and that you're using it in your own way. Love it!!

        Reply
    14. T. says

      September 08, 2021 at 1:56 am

      One of my favorites. I love the sweetness of the peas.

      Reply
    15. Joyce says

      September 08, 2021 at 10:43 pm

      So good. Love pesto, never made with peas before. I especially like the ricotta creme. Lovely, and solves any issue of ricotta getting gritty,

      Reply

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