Description
This Creamy Corn & Zucchini Pasta with Lemon Ricotta is a quick, fresh, and delicious summer-inspired meal. Sweet corn and sautéed zucchini are tossed with tender spaghetti in a lemony ricotta-Parmesan sauce, then finished with black pepper, lemon zest, and herbs. It’s creamy, zesty, and perfect for weeknights!
Ingredients
– 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 1 small zucchini, halved and sliced
– 1 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
– 1 clove garlic, minced
– ¾ cup ricotta cheese
– ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
– Zest of 1 lemon
– 2 tbsp lemon juice
– ¼ cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
– Salt and black pepper to taste
– Optional: red pepper flakes, fresh parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water before draining.
2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini and cook for 3–4 minutes until lightly golden and just tender.
3. Stir in the corn and garlic. Cook for 2 more minutes. Season with salt and black pepper.
4. In a bowl, mix ricotta, Parmesan, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Add a little pasta water to loosen the sauce, if needed.
5. Toss the drained pasta with the ricotta mixture, sautéed vegetables, and more pasta water as needed to coat the noodles in a creamy sauce.
6. Serve immediately topped with extra Parmesan, black pepper, a dollop of ricotta, and fresh herbs. Add lemon zest and a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.
Notes
– Use gluten-free pasta if needed.
– Add baby spinach or arugula for a green boost.
– For extra richness, top with burrata instead of ricotta.
– This dish doesn’t freeze well but keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop, Sauté
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired, Summer
Keywords: corn zucchini pasta, creamy ricotta pasta, lemon ricotta spaghetti, vegetarian pasta recipe, summer pasta dish, fresh garden pasta