Indulge in Creamy Ricotta Pasta with Fresh Mint & Garlic: Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal
You guys are in for an extraordinary treat today! We’re thrilled to welcome Kate from Diethood, who is taking over our kitchen for this special guest post. Kate is not only an incredibly talented blogger but also one of the sweetest people I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with in the blogging world. We embarked on our blogging journeys around the same time, and our friendship has blossomed through years of mutual support and shared culinary adventures. I’m especially excited because this summer, Kate and I will finally get to meet in person in Chicago – a long-awaited moment!
Prepare yourselves for a truly amazing pasta dish that’s bound to become a staple in your home. Seriously, grab some paper towels now, because you might just find yourself drooling over this recipe!
Meet Kate: The Creative Force Behind Diethood
Hi-Hi, everyone! I’m Katerina, but you can call me Kate, Kathy, Kat, Katay, or even Katherine – I think those cover all my nicknames! It’s a bit of an identity crisis, but it’s all me. Katerina is my birth certificate name, and I am the blogger behind Diethood. My philosophy on food is simple: I appreciate healthy eating, but my love for cake far surpasses my enthusiasm for kale. And yes, like many, I dream of a supermodel physique while simultaneously wanting to live on a pizza diet. That, in a nutshell, is me!
I am genuinely thrilled to be here with all of you today and cannot thank Erin enough for inviting me to share one of my favorite quick and delicious recipes. It’s truly an honor to be featured on Dinners, Dishes & Desserts.
Erin’s blog is truly a treasure, isn’t it? She’s absolutely wonderful, and her recipes are always a hit. Her food and I get along exceptionally well, especially her incredible Chocolate/Peanut Butter creations! Right now, I’ve got my eye on that irresistible Chocolate Peanut Butter Cream Pie. It looks nothing short of phenomenal!
When Erin asked me to contribute a guest post, my mind initially drifted towards a chocolate/peanut butter combination, but I quickly decided to leave those decadent delights to our hostess – she’s truly the professional of Dinners, Dishes & Desserts in that arena. Instead, I veered a little left and decided to bring you something equally comforting and satisfying: pasta!
Why This Creamy Ricotta Pasta Will Become Your Go-To
I’m a huge fan of pasta, provided it doesn’t always involve the usual heavy red sauce. I prefer my pasta creamy, yet light, bursting with flavor, and leaning towards the healthier side – or at least somewhere near it. This Creamy Pasta with Ricotta, Mint, and Garlic Sauce perfectly embodies everything I look for in a pasta dish. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly extraordinary.
One of the best things about this recipe is how it achieves a rich, creamy texture without the need for heavy cream, saving us a good number of calories. My secret? Our good friend, part-skim ricotta cheese! It provides that luxurious creaminess while keeping the dish feeling lighter and fresher. For an explosion of flavor, I turned to our BFF, garlic, which always delivers a comforting warmth. To balance the garlic and add a refreshing zest (and for the sake of our garlicky breath!), I included our dear buddy, fresh mint. The mint adds an unexpected brightness that elevates the entire dish, transforming it from good to truly memorable.
And because I simply adore a good crunch for textural contrast, I tossed in a handful of chopped walnuts. This addition provides a delightful bite that complements the smooth sauce and tender pasta beautifully. I proclaimed it the best stuff, evah! I know, I know, I can be a bit obnoxious, but I genuinely loved it, and I think you will too. Being Macedonian, throwing walnuts into everything is perfectly acceptable in my culinary world – and often encouraged! Seriously, give it a try; you might just love it as much as we do!
The Magic of Simplicity: Quick, Easy, and Delicious
This creamy pasta is an absolute lifesaver on those busy weeknights when time is of the essence. If you’re running out of time, make this A.S. on.the. A.P.! It truly doesn’t even take 30 minutes from start to finish. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity: just cook your pasta, whip up the sauce while it cooks, combine, and serve. It’s that straightforward. You essentially dump it all in the pot and let it do its thing.
While your pasta is cooking and the sauce is coming together, you might even have a moment to enjoy a glass of “Mommy Juice,” as I like to call it – also known as Chardonnay! Cheers to effortless cooking and delicious results that don’t compromise on flavor or quality.
Ingredient Spotlight: Crafting the Perfect Balance
Each ingredient in this Creamy Ricotta Pasta plays a crucial role in creating its harmonious flavor and texture profile:
- Fettuccine Pasta: While fettuccine provides a lovely wide surface for the creamy sauce to cling to, feel free to experiment with other pasta shapes like linguine, spaghetti, penne, or even rotini. The key is to cook it al dente for the best texture.
- Part-Skim Ricotta Cheese: This is the star of our creamy sauce. It delivers a rich, velvety texture without the heaviness of traditional cream sauces. Using part-skim helps keep the dish lighter, making it a great option for those seeking a more balanced meal.
- 1% Milk: A touch of milk helps to thin out the ricotta, creating a smooth, pourable sauce that coats the pasta beautifully. You can adjust the amount to achieve your desired consistency.
- Fresh Garlic: The backbone of so many delicious dishes, finely chopped garlic infuses the sauce with its pungent, warm aroma and flavor. It’s a non-negotiable for that authentic, savory depth.
- Fresh Mint Leaves: This is where the magic happens! Fresh mint provides an incredible bright, clean, and refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the ricotta and the intensity of the garlic. It elevates the dish with an unexpected burst of flavor that truly sets it apart. Don’t skip it!
- Walnuts: Chopped walnuts add a fantastic textural crunch, providing a satisfying contrast to the soft pasta and creamy sauce. They also contribute a subtle earthy flavor and healthy fats, making the dish more satisfying.
- Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper: Essential for seasoning, these simple additions bring out all the vibrant flavors of the other ingredients. Always season to taste!
Tips for Pasta Perfection
To ensure your Creamy Ricotta Pasta turns out perfectly every time, keep these simple tips in mind:
- Al Dente Pasta: Cook your pasta according to package directions until it’s al dente – firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will become mushy and won’t hold the sauce as well.
- Reserve Pasta Water: While not explicitly in the original recipe, reserving about half a cup of pasta water is always a good idea. If your sauce is too thick, a splash of this starchy water can help thin it out and bind it to the pasta, creating an even silkier consistency.
- Fresh Ingredients are Key: Especially for the mint and garlic, using fresh ingredients makes a significant difference in flavor. Avoid dried herbs for this recipe if possible.
- Adjust Creaminess: If you prefer a looser, thinner sauce, simply add a little more milk (or reserved pasta water) a tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Serve Immediately: This pasta dish is best enjoyed fresh off the stove while the sauce is warm and creamy.
Serving Suggestions & Creative Variations
This Creamy Ricotta Pasta with Mint and Garlic is wonderful on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a variety of sides and can be easily customized to suit your preferences:
- Side Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette would be a perfect complement, offering freshness and crunch.
- Crusty Bread: Don’t forget some crusty Italian bread to soak up every last bit of that delicious sauce.
- Protein Boost: For a more substantial meal, consider adding grilled chicken, pan-seared shrimp, or even crumbled Italian sausage (mild or spicy) to the dish.
- Vegetable Additions: Sautéed spinach, cherry tomatoes (halved), peas, or asparagus spears would be delightful additions, adding more color and nutrients.
- Herb Variations: While mint is unique and fantastic here, you could also try a blend of mint and basil, or even a touch of fresh parsley for a different aromatic note.
- Cheesy Topping: A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese just before serving can add an extra layer of savory goodness.
Creamy Pasta with Ricotta, Mint and Garlic Sauce
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Ingredients
- 8- ounces Fettuccine Pasta
- 1/2- cup Part Skim Ricotta Cheese
- 1/4- cup 1% milk
- 2 garlic cloves, , finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped mint leaves
- Salt and fresh ground pepper, , to taste
- Handful of chopped walnuts
Instructions
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Cook fettuccine according to the directions on the package.
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In the meantime, prepare the sauce.
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Combine ricotta, milk, chopped garlic and mint in your mixer’s bowl; beat on medium-low until smooth. If it’s too thick for your taste, add a little more milk, about a tablespoon at a time.
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Drain the cooked pasta and return to the pan.
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Pour the ricotta cheese mixture into the pan and toss together with the pasta.
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Add walnuts and season with salt and pepper; mix until well combined.
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Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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Thank you so much, Kate, for sharing this wonderful recipe and taking over the blog today! Your Creamy Pasta with Ricotta, Mint, and Garlic Sauce is truly a delightful and innovative dish that I know my readers will adore. It’s a testament to your culinary creativity and your ability to make healthy eating both approachable and incredibly flavorful.
To all my amazing readers, you will definitely want to check out Kate’s fantastic blog, Diethood, for more incredible recipes that beautifully balance wholesome ingredients with delicious indulgence. Make sure to follow along on her social media channels as well: Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest! You won’t regret it. xo