Pasta with Ricotta & Lemon

Ingredients

• Kosher salt
• 1 lb 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 Tbs 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)
• Arugula, or similar greens

Directions

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Add greens to your bowls. Divide the pasta among them 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.