35 Ricotta Pasta Recipes
Ricotta is the ultimate pasta secret weapon—creamy, mild, and ready to transform your weeknight dinners into something restaurant-worthy. Whether you’re stuffing shells, swirling it into sauce, or dolloping it on top, these 35 recipes prove that ricotta belongs on your table way more often than it probably is.
1. Classic Ricotta and Spinach Ravioli
Source: tinastable.com
Homemade pasta pillows stuffed with a dreamy ricotta-spinach filling and nutmeg. The simplicity here is dangerous—one bite and you’ll wonder why you ever bought frozen.
2. Baked Ziti with Ricotta
Source: wellseasonedstudio.com
Creamy ricotta layers with mozzarella, parmesan, and marinara sauce, then baked until bubbly. It’s comfort food that tastes like someone who actually loves you made it.
3. Ricotta Lemon Pasta with Fresh Herbs
Source: justalittlebitofbacon.com
Bright, citrusy, and finished with basil and fresh ricotta stirred right into the warm pasta. The lemon cuts through the richness so perfectly you’ll crave it year-round.
4. Ricotta and Roasted Red Pepper Shells
Source: ciaochowbambina.com
Jumbo shells stuffed with sweet roasted peppers and creamy ricotta, finished with a béchamel sauce. The peppers add a smoky sweetness that elevates the whole dish.
5. Creamy Ricotta Penne with Peas
Source: cooking.nytimes.com
Spring peas get simmered into a ricotta-cream sauce that coats every piece of penne. It’s light enough for dinner but feels indulgent enough for company.
6. Ricotta Cannelloni with Tomato Sauce
Source: delicious.com.au
Tender pasta tubes rolled with ricotta, herbs, and a whisper of garlic, smothered in homemade tomato sauce. This is the Italian comfort food that’ll make your kitchen smell incredible.
7. Ricotta Gnocchi in Brown Butter Sage
Source: fodmapeveryday.com
Pillowy gnocchi made with ricotta instead of potatoes—lighter and somehow even more addictive. The brown butter and sage make it feel fancy but takes 20 minutes.
8. Baked Ricotta and Mushroom Lasagna
Source: the-pasta-project.com
Earthy mushrooms paired with creamy ricotta layers and melted cheese in a deeply satisfying lasagna. Each forkful has that perfect balance of sauce, cheese, and umami.
9. Ricotta Ravioli with Walnut Sauce
Source: giallozafferano.com
Delicate ricotta-filled ravioli coated in a rich walnut cream sauce with a hint of garlic. The nuttiness transforms something simple into something memorable.
10. Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Marinara
Source: bonappetit.com
Jumbo pasta shells stuffed with ricotta, parmesan, and fresh parsley, then baked in marinara. It’s the kind of dish people ask you to make again and again.
11. Creamy Ricotta Fettuccine Alfredo
Source: bakeatmidnite.com
Ricotta creates a lighter, tangier take on classic Alfredo that doesn’t feel heavy. Add fresh cracked pepper and you’ve got restaurant-level pasta at home.
12. Ricotta and Artichoke Pasta Bake
Source: thekitchn.com
Tender artichoke hearts folded into ricotta and tossed with pasta, then baked until golden. The artichokes stay tender and add a subtle, sophisticated flavor.
13. Ricotta Manicotti with Spinach
Source: seriouseats.com
Soft pasta tubes filled with a blend of ricotta, spinach, and mozzarella, topped with marinara sauce. It’s freezer-friendly and tastes even better the next day.
14. Ricotta Cavatappi with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Source: epicurious.com
Corkscrew pasta tossed with creamy ricotta and tangy sun-dried tomatoes for a burst of flavor in every bite. The tomatoes add complexity without extra effort.
15. Baked Penne Arrabbiata with Ricotta
Source: theintrepidcookie.net
The spicy heat of arrabbiata gets balanced by dollops of cooling ricotta stirred throughout. It’s spicy, creamy, and weirdly comforting all at once.
16. Ricotta Tortellini in Brown Butter
Source: seriouseats.com
Store-bought ricotta tortellini elevated with nothing more than brown butter, crispy sage, and parmesan. Sometimes the simplest preparations taste the best.
17. Ricotta and Herb Lasagna Bolognese
Source: asimplepalate.com
Rich meat sauce layered with creamy ricotta and fresh herbs for a balanced, deeply satisfying lasagna. The ricotta softens the heaviness of the meat sauce perfectly.
18. Ricotta Ravioli with Tomato Confit
Source: larderandvine.com
Delicate ricotta ravioli topped with slow-roasted tomatoes that have become sweet and jammy. The tomatoes are the star—simple but so flavorful.
19. Creamy Ricotta Pappardelle with Broccoli
Source: cooking.nytimes.com
Wide ribbon pasta gets tossed with creamy ricotta sauce and charred broccoli florets. The combination is heartier than it looks but still feels light.
20. Ricotta and Prosciutto Pasta Roll-Ups
Source: seriouseats.com
Sheets of fresh pasta rolled with ricotta, prosciutto, and parmesan, then baked in cream sauce. The salty prosciutto plays beautifully against the creamy ricotta.
21. Baked Rigatoni with Ricotta and Meatballs
Source: triedandtruerecipe.com
Tender rigatoni, homemade meatballs, and creamy ricotta come together in a baked pasta that feeds a crowd. The ricotta adds richness without making it feel too heavy.
22. Ricotta Ravioli with Pesto Cream
Source: marleyspoon.com
Basil pesto swirled into ricotta cream sauce coats tender ravioli beautifully. The herbaceousness of the pesto makes this feel summery and fresh.
23. Ricotta and Zucchini Lasagna
Source: halfbakedharvest.com
Layers of tender zucchini, creamy ricotta, and melted cheese create a lighter lasagna that still feels indulgent. It’s a great way to use summer zucchini.
24. Creamy Ricotta Orzo with Roasted Vegetables
Source: stuckonsweet.com
Tiny orzo pasta coated in ricotta sauce with caramelized roasted veggies throughout. It’s side dish meets main course, and secretly easy to pull together.
25. Ricotta and Eggplant Pasta Bake
Source: sipandfeast.com
Tender eggplant layered with ricotta, fresh pasta, and tomato sauce, then baked until bubbly. The eggplant gets creamy and melds beautifully with the ricotta.
26. Ricotta Gnocchi with Tomato Basil
Source: hillstreetgrocer.com
Light ricotta gnocchi in the simplest tomato and basil sauce lets the quality of your ingredients shine. The ricotta makes them feel fluffy but not heavy.
27. Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Sausage
Source: wellseasonedstudio.com
Crumbled sausage adds savory depth to creamy ricotta ziti, all baked with mozzarella on top. The sausage fat seasons everything beautifully.
28. Ricotta Rigatoni with Asparagus and Lemon
Source: halfbakedharvest.com
Fresh asparagus spears tossed with lemon-spiked ricotta and rigatoni, finished with parmesan. Spring in a bowl, and totally ready in under 30 minutes.
29. Ricotta Ravioli with Burnt Orange Butter
Source: everydaygourmet.tv
Delicate ricotta ravioli get a citrusy, nutty boost from brown butter infused with orange zest. The burnt orange flavor is unexpected and totally addictive.
30. Creamy Ricotta Linguine with Clams
Source: thekitchn.com
Tender littleneck clams simmer in white wine with creamy ricotta stirred in for a sophisticated pasta that feels fancy. The ricotta mellows the brininess of the clams.
31. Baked Penne with Ricotta and Broccolini
Source: rhubarbandlavender.com
Charred broccolini gets tossed with creamy ricotta and penne, then topped with crispy breadcrumbs. The contrast of textures here is chef’s kiss.
32. Ricotta and Caramelized Onion Shells
Source: raoscanada.ca
Slow-caramelized onions turned sweet and jammy get mixed into ricotta and stuffed into jumbo shells. The onions add a depth that feels way more impressive than it is.
33. Ricotta Lasagna Bianca with Mushrooms
Source: the-pasta-project.com
Creamy béchamel, ricotta, and sautéed mushrooms layered between fresh pasta sheets for a luxurious white lasagna. The mushrooms add earthiness to all that cream.
34. Ricotta Tortelloni with Fig Jam
Source: soupaddict.com
Sweet fig jam swirled over pillowy ricotta tortelloni with a drizzle of aged balsamic and cracked pepper. It’s an elegant finish that feels indulgent but light.
35. Ricotta Pappardelle with Wild Mushrooms
Source: saveur.com
Earthy wild mushrooms sautéed with garlic and cream get tossed with wide ricotta-coated noodles. The meaty mushrooms make this feel like real dinner.
