Name: Creamy Ricotta Pasta Sauce
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 1/2 cup ricotta cheese; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; zest from 1 lemon; cayenne to taste; about 2/3 cup hot pasta water, plus more if needed; 1/4 cup pesto, or to taste

Creamy Ricotta Pasta Sauce

Tags: Pasta Sauce/Condiment Side Dish

Yield: 2

Ingredients

1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1 large egg
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
zest from 1 lemon
cayenne to taste
about 2/3 cup hot pasta water, plus more if needed
1/4 cup pesto, or to taste

Steps

Bring water to a boil and cook pasta -- about a minute less since the pasta will cook in the sauce.
Add the ricotta cheese, egg, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and cayenne to a medium mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.
Add 1/3 cup hot pasta water and whisk to combine. Repeat with a second 1/3 cup of pasta water.
Transfer pasta to a medium skillet and add sauce mixture. Turn on medium heat. Stir for 2-3 minutes to allow sauce to thicken. Sauce should thicken to consistency of heavy cream. Stir in pesto until combined.