Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Shrimp

This amazingly flavorful Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Shrimp is perfect for any dinner occasion, so you and your family can enjoy a light, delicious fresh pasta dish with creamy ricotta, succulent shrimp, lemon juice, and fresh organic baby spinach.

I love whipping up a fabulously fast, delicious creamy pasta, and it’s so easy since I usually always have fresh or frozen shrimp on hand. Living in an Italian-American home, we typically have all of the ingredients on hand to make Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Shrimp. It’s a win-win situation when it’s a quick recipe and you have the ingredients already in your home.

 

Pasta is my downfall at times; I adore it and all its versatile uses. I’m OK with loving pasta in an insane way most days. I try to stick to the organic pasta brands and eat them in moderation. If you are trying to be a bit health conscious, you can use natural, gluten-free, or, better yet, the homemade pasta that you have complete control of the ingredients used.

This is an excellent recipe for any pasta, really, and I love Angel Hair Pasta so much. I served mine with al dente Angel Hair. The sauce goes great over several noodles you can find right in the pasta aisle at your local market.  I have tried several different ones with it, and each time the family enjoyed the dish. I have listed about five pasta types below for you that also work well with this dish. Feel free to use what you have in the pantry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Types of Noodles that work well with Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Shrimp

• Fettuccine: Flat ribbons of pasta.

• Linguine: Long, thin, flat strips of pasta that resemble flattened spaghetti.

• Tagliatelle: Flat ribbons of pasta, somewhere between fettuccine and pappardelle in width.

• Pappardelle: Thick, flat ribbons of pasta. Almost like fettuccine, but significantly wider.

• Penne: Medium-sized ridged tubes of pasta with edges cut diagonal.

 

 

 

 

A few tips for perfect pasta for Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Shrimp

1. Skip adding any oil to the water. Adding oil to the water or to cooked pasta to keep it from sticking will cause your sauce to slide off the pasta noodles.

2. Use plenty of cold water to fill a large pasta pot so that once the pasta begins to cook and expand, there will be plenty of room for the noodles to move freely in the pot.  Make sure your pot comes to a full boil before adding any pasta to it.

3. Don’t skip adding salt to the water right before adding the uncooked pasta. Use at least one teaspoon of salt to a gallon of water.

4. Bring the water to a full boil before even thinking of adding the pasta, and stir continuously for a minute or so when you first add the pasta to prevent it from sticking. After that, stir occasionally.

5. Carefully read the pasta packaging. Different types of pasta usually have different cooking times, and I use the al dente method.

6. Drain the pasta just enough to remove most of the water; however, don’t let the drained pasta sit. As it cools, the starches will firm up, and the pasta will stick back together. Also, don’t forget to reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water.

7. Add pasta to the sauce immediately. Always have the sauce ready before you cook the pasta.  Keep the sauce on a warm heat setting in a large, wide saucepan, large enough to add the cooked pasta too. Add the cooked pasta immediately.

 

 

 

 

 

See how creamy and amazing this pasta recipe looks? You can thank the ricotta, parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and pasta water for all that dreamy creaminess over those wonderful Angel Hair Noodles that are cooked al dente. Some of you might be wondering two things when reading this right now.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions about  Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Shrimp

1. Why do you add the pasta water to the recipe? By adding about a ladle full of water to the sauce before adding the pasta, the salty, starchy water will lend flavor to the sauce and help the sauce adhere to the pasta a little better.

2. What does al dente mean? Cooked yet, still firm to the bite. Dry pasta usually will have directions to cook the pasta al dente on the back of the box or package if you are unsure how long it takes to achieve.

3. Can I use thin spaghetti noodles in place of the Angel Hair pasta? Feel free to use thin spaghetti noodles; it will not change the recipe much. See the above information about the types of noodles that work well in the method.

4. What type of shrimp do you recommend using? I prefer to use wild shrimp, be sure to look for certification from the Marine Stewardship Council or shrimp listed as *Best Choice* or *Good Alternative* on seafoodwatch.org.

 

 

 

Suggested Equipment for Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Shrimp

• Measuring Spoons – to measure the ingredients.

• Measuring cups- to measure the ingredients.

• Small Kitchen knife– to remove veins from the shrimp.

• Zester– To zest fresh lemons for the recipe.

• Box grater– To freshly grate the Parmigiano-Reggiano.

• Pasta pot – To cook the pasta in.

• Large skillet – To cook the shrimp.

• Wooden Spoon – To stir the recipe.

• Pasta spoon – To remove the pasta and serve.

• Pasta plates or bowls – To serve the Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Shrimp.

 

 

 

Shopping list for Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Shrimp

*See exact measurements, Instructions, servings, and nutrition info via the recipe card below*

• Extra-virgin olive oil– To cook the jumbo shrimp. Do not use vegetable oils, peanuts, or canola oil.

•  Jumbo shrimp– Always be sure they are as fresh as possible. Remove shells and the vein.

• Cloves garlic- Adds a nice layer of flavor to the pasta. Use fresh instead of minced in a jar for the best results.

• Fresh Baby spinach – Be sure to steam just until slightly wilted for the best results

• Red pepper flakes– This adds a little kick to the pasta. Use as little or as much as you like.

• Kosher Salt- Don’t skip this step. Add to your taste

• Fresh ground white pepper- To your own taste. You may sub with fine black pepper in a pinch

•  Lemon juice– Use only freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best results.

• Fresh lemon zest -Use only freshly zested lemons for the best results.

• Ricotta cheese – Use a quality brand for the best flavor and consistency.

• Heavy cream – It is suggested that you use heavy cream to make this sauce, but whole milk can be used in a pinch.

• Parmigiano-Reggiano – Buy a quality brand of finely shredded Parmesan. I do not recommend using the cheaper version that comes in a shake container.

• Dry Angel Hair pasta or Thin Spaghetti is my preferred pasta to serve it with. However, bove lists other pasta types that go great with this recipe for Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Shrimp.

• Sliced lemons, for serving, optional.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Suggested recipes to try

• Seafood Manicotti with Shrimp is one of my favorite traditional Christmas Eve dishes, and how can it not be? Pasta that’s decadently filled to the brim with delicious shrimp, crab, creamy ricotta cheese, Organic Parmesan cheese shreds, organic chopped spinach, and fresh chopped herbs, resting on a bed of broccolini, all covered in a deliciously simple red sauce and smothered in more Organic Parmesan cheese shreds.
• American Goulash, American Chop Suey, Beef, and Macaroni, have simple, economical filling ingredients. Such as lean ground beef, green bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and seasoned with herbs that are reasonably family-friendly and super simple to find at any market or local grocer.
• Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo recipe, combined with a rich, thick, creamy homemade Alfredo sauce with grilled chicken and fresh broccoli, will have you in and out of the kitchen in no time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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