Best Quick Ragù With Ricotta And Lemon Recipes

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ONE-POT PASTA WITH RICOTTA AND LEMON



One-Pot Pasta With Ricotta and Lemon image

This elegant, bright pasta dish comes together in about the same amount of time it takes to boil noodles and heat up a jar of store-bought marinara. The no-cook sauce is a 50-50 mix of ricotta and Parmesan, with the zest and juice of one lemon thrown in. That's it. To make it more filling, add peas, asparagus or spinach in the last few minutes of the pasta boiling, or stir in fresh arugula or watercress with the sauce in Step 3. It's a weeknight and for-company keeper any way you stir it.

Provided by Ali Slagle

Categories     dinner, easy, lunch, weekday, pastas, main course

Time 15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

Kosher salt
1 pound short, ribbed pasta, like gemelli or penne
1 cup whole-milk ricotta (8 ounces)
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino (2 ounces), plus more for serving
1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest plus 1/4 cup lemon juice (from 1 to 2 lemons)
Black pepper
Red-pepper flakes, for serving
1/4 cup thinly sliced or torn basil leaves, for serving (optional)

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
  • In the same pot, make the sauce: Add the ricotta, Parmesan, lemon zest and juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and stir until well combined.
  • Add 1/2 cup pasta water to the sauce and stir until smooth. Add the pasta and continue to stir vigorously until the noodles are well coated. Add more pasta water as needed for a smooth sauce.
  • Divide the pasta among bowls and top with some of the sauce that's pooled at the bottom of the pot. Garnish with grated Parmesan, black pepper, red-pepper flakes and basil, if using.

SLOW COOKER CHICKEN RAGù WITH HERBED RICOTTA



Slow Cooker Chicken Ragù With Herbed Ricotta image

This recipe has a comforting lasagna vibe, as the spicy chicken-and-tomato sauce mingles with the rich, herby ricotta. Make the sauce as hot as you like: Begin with 1 1/2 teaspoons red-pepper flakes for a fairly mild spice level, then add more at the end if you want more heat. You'll notice there isn't much liquid when the chicken and vegetables go into the slow cooker, but have faith: The juices released during cooking end up making a not-too-thick ragù that is perfect for saucing pasta. In fact, because some chicken has more moisture than others, you may end up with more liquid than you'd like. If that happens, turn off the heat so the sauce cools a bit and is not bubbling, then vigorously stir in two egg yolks before you add the pasta. This adds glossy thickening power, just like it does in carbonara.

Provided by Sarah DiGregorio

Categories     dinner, weekday, pastas, poultry, main course

Time 6h30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 small carrot, peeled and chopped
1/2 yellow or red onion, finely minced (about 1 cup)
4 garlic cloves, smashed and chopped
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 sprig fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
1 sprig fresh oregano (or 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano)
1 1/2 teaspoons red-pepper flakes, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon onion powder
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 (14-ounce) can whole tomatoes or crushed tomatoes
8 ounces pappardelle, tagliatelle, fettuccine or other long, thick pasta
1 cup whole-milk or part-skim ricotta
Heaping 1/4 cup chopped soft fresh herbs, such as chives, oregano, parsley or basil, or a mix
Juice of 1/4 lemon (1 to 2 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1 handful torn fresh basil leaves

Steps:

  • In a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker, combine the chicken, carrot, onion, garlic, tomato paste, olive oil, thyme, oregano, red-pepper flakes and onion powder. Add 2 teaspoons kosher salt and a couple grinds of pepper.
  • Pour the tomatoes and their juices into the slow cooker, crushing the tomatoes with your hands, if using whole. Stir to combine.
  • Cover and cook on low until the chicken is very tender, about 6 hours. The ragù will hold well on warm for an additional 1 to 2 hours.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. While the pasta cooks, in a small bowl, combine the ricotta with the chopped herbs, lemon juice and a pinch of salt; set aside.
  • Coarsely shred the cooked chicken with two forks. Remove and discard the herb sprigs and add the vinegar and the basil leaves. Taste the sauce, adding more red-pepper flakes, if you like. Turn off the slow cooker. Pour the drained pasta into the slow cooker and toss to combine.
  • Divide among bowls and top with the ricotta mixture.

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