Easy ricotta pasta from Sicily (2 ways)
Pasta with ricotta is one of the simplest of Italian pasta recipes. My Sicilian hubby says it was one of his favourite dishes when he was a child. In Southern Italy, ricotta with pasta is a popular go-to recipe when mothers don’t know what to cook or haven’t had time for shopping. Kids love it! I'm sure you and your family will love these Sicilian ricotta pasta recipes too!
There are, of course, a number of versions of simple pasta with ricotta. But, the basics are often the same, fresh ricotta creamed with the pasta cooking water plus the addition of one or two other possible ingredients. In Sicily, they often add nutmeg (which I did) or just lots of ground black pepper. Walnuts (like in my second version) are also a popular addition, as are pistachios or almonds.
Among my favourite simple ricotta pasta recipes already here on The Pasta Project are spaghetti with lemon, basil and ricotta and a divine Sicilian pasta with ricotta and pistachio pesto. These simple pasta with ricotta recipes are mostly no-cook dishes, meaning you only have to cook the pasta, not the sauce! Of course, there are many other Italian pasta with ricotta recipes that do need some cooking.
So what is ricotta?
Some people say ricotta isn’t really a cheese. In Italian, they often call it a ‘latticino’ which means a dairy by-product. In short, ricotta is made from whey, the watery liquid that remains after making cow, sheep or goat cheese. Making ricotta is actually quite simple. The whey is left to ferment for a day or two so it becomes more acidic. Then, it’s heated to almost boiling. In fact, the word ‘ricotta’ means recooked! After heating, the curds are filtered through a cloth and the result is ricotta!
Ricotta in Italy.
Ricotta has been made in Italy for centuries. The ancient Romans made it! Of course, there are different types of ricotta. There is ricotta made from cow’s milk as well as from goat, sheep and Italian water buffalo. I also like ricotta ‘mista’ which is a mix of cow and sheep milk ricottas. Cow’s milk ricotta is more widely used here in the north of Italy. Sheep ricotta is more popular in the south.
The ricotta I used in these Sicilian ricotta pasta recipes.
Traditionally, most simple pasta with ricotta recipes come from Southern Italy, where they prefer to use sheep ricotta. However, cow’s milk ricotta is good too, especially when it comes straight from the farm!
I recently visited a wonderful dairy farm near Padua (Padova) called La Bolzonella. This dairy farm is rather special because they make cheese with their own milk! In fact, La Bolzonella not only has dairy cows, but they also grow the cereals and fodder for the cows in their own fields.
I was pretty excited about eating cheese at a dairy farm where they also grow the cows’ food! And, I have to say the cheese was unbelievably good! I have actually never tried ricotta that tasted so fresh, like a glass of creamy fresh milk!! Of course, I took some home. In fact, I made these 2 wonderful Sicilian pasta with ricotta recipes with it.
La Bolzonella produce a number of different cheeses, all from their own cow’s milk. Apart from ricotta, they also make mozzarella, burrata, stracciatelle, caciocavallo, scamorza, primosale and canestrato Veneto, as well as their own label Bolzonella and Cittadella cheeses. The latter is named after the medieval town of Cittadella close to where the farm is located. If you are ever in the Padova area you might want to visit to try/buy their cheese. They also have accommodation! https://www.labolzonella1656.it/en/
Nowadays ricotta is made in many countries and there is some very good commercial ricotta on the market. You can make either of these Sicilian ricotta pasta recipes with sheep’s ricotta, cow’s milk ricotta or a ricotta mista (cow and sheep mixed together) .
The pasta
Sicilian pasta with ricotta is made with different types of pasta. However, the most popular cuts are short pasta tubes or spaghetti. I used organic fusilli made by a company I visited whilst in Salento, Puglia back in September. Benedetto Cavalieri have been making pasta in Maglie, Salento since 1918. However, even before they started making pasta, the Cavalieri family were durum wheat farmers and millers.
The present owner Benedetto, who I met when I visited, is the founder’s grandson. Cavalieri make their pasta with durum wheat grown in Puglia and Basilicata using a production process called ‘metodo delicato’. This method involves long kneading of the dough and slow pressing, drawing and drying at low temperatures.
Benedetto Cavalieri have 2 lines of pasta production. Their traditional award winning artisan pasta is available in 32 shapes. It’s a popular pasta among chefs and in high end restaurants in Puglia. In fact, we came across it a number of times in restaurants during our holiday. Their relatively new organic whole wheat pasta is available in 6 shapes. The fusilli I used for this pasta with ricotta was from this organic range.
Organic whole wheat pasta is obviously a much healthier choice than many other types of commercial pasta. Cavalieri’s organic whole wheat pasta has a wonderful consistency and a warm wheaty taste. Of course, you can used other pasta brands and shapes but I would recommend this pasta if you can find it.
A very quick and easy recipe.
As I mentioned above, making simple pasta with ricotta requires no cooking, except for the pasta. I made 2 slightly different versions of Sicilian ricotta pasta, one with nutmeg and the other with chopped walnuts. For the first version, apart from the pasta, ricotta and nutmeg all you need is some grated parmigiano (parmesan) or grana. Vegetarians will want to use a vegetarian cheese as both Parmigiano Reggiano and grana contain calf rennet. If you make the version with walnuts, you'll also need a little garlic and olive oil.
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Whether you make this pasta with nutmeg or walnuts, I’m sure you’ll love these simple Sicilian ricotta pasta recipes.
If you do try these ricotta pasta recipes, I’d love to hear what you think. Please write a comment here on the blog or post a comment on the Pasta Project Facebook page.
Your feedback means a lot to me!
Buon Appetito!
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Have a look at my other ricotta pasta recipes for more delicious recipes like this one!
Sicilian Ricotta Pasta 2 ways
Ingredients
- 400 g fusilli (14oz) or other short pasta. I used organic wholewheat fusilli from Benedetto Cavalieri
- 300 g fresh ricotta (10-11oz) I used cow's ricotta.
- salt for pasta and to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg grated
For ricotta with walnuts instead of nutmeg
- 50 g walnuts (2oz) chopped or other nuts of your choice
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil.
- 1 garlic clove peeled and finely chopped
Optional
- 50 g Grana Padano or Parmigiano Reggiano (2oz) grated. Vegetarians should use vegetarian cheese
Instructions
- Put a pot of water on to boil for the pasta. Add salt once it starts to boil and bring to the boil again. Cook the pasta al dente according to the instructions on the packet. When the pasta is ready save a cup of the cooking water and drain.
- While the pasta is cooking, mix the ricotta with some grated nutmeg and ground black pepper in a bowl. Add a pinch of salt and a little bit of pasta cooking water to soften the ricotta (this is best done after the pasta has been cooking for 5 minutes or is cooked). Cream using a fork or handheld blender.
- Add the drained pasta to the ricotta, mix everything well and serve. If the pasta is too dry, add a little more cooking water. Serve with grated parmigiano or grana if required
For ricotta and walnuts instead of nutmeg
- Put the walnuts, chopped garlic and olive oil in a food processor and pulse a few times til walnuts are granular but not too fine. Add this walnut mixture to fresh ricotta instead of the nutmeg in step 2.
Notes
Nutrition
Before you go check out these other ricotta pasta recipes.
- Linguine with ricotta and mint pesto
- Ricotta and basil filled paccheri with tomato sauce
- Hazelnut pasta with ricotta and spinach
- Italian ricotta and mushroom lasagna
Ai | Ai made it for you says
I've never had ricotta with pasta other than lasagna! This looks so creamy and delicious!
The Pasta Project says
I hope you try it and love it!
Aline says
This recipe is everything!!! I love how simple it is, and yet it's so special!! Amazing!!
The Pasta Project says
Thank you, Aline! Sometimes the most simple things are the most wonderful!
Beth says
I LOVE ricotta and though I can't serve this to my taste-testers it doesn't mean I can't make a big batch for myself. I enjoyed your comments about ricotta. I will probably make this with nutmeg AND walnuts, mmm.
The Pasta Project says
Thank you, Beth! You absolutely should make this for yourself!
Simone says
Oh my goodness... I must try this! Being the pasta head that I am... and with fresh nutmeg... this just screams at me 🙂
The Pasta Project says
Thank you, Simone!
Analida Braeger says
I honestly have never seen a recipe like this and I have a very good friend who is Sicilian. This looks like the Italian version of a very comforting mac and cheese dish and I can't wait to make this! Thanks for sharing a great recipe!
The Pasta Project says
Thank you, Analida!
Stine Mari says
Both nutmeg and walnuts sound so delicious, but I do think I'd try the nutmeg one first! And I definitely need to try to make my own ricotta. Great recipe!
The Pasta Project says
Thank you!
Veena Azmanov says
My family loves such options too. Pasta is a happy meal for sure. Love the walnut as well as the Nutmeg flavor to make it unique too.
The Pasta Project says
It's great to have options!
HOTFITME says
i cant wait to try this!
The Pasta Project says
Hope you love it!
Nart | Cooking with Nart says
Your ricotta pasta looks so creamy. And the combination of nutmeg and walnut is interesting too!
The Pasta Project says
Thank you, Nart!
Kelly Anthony says
I'm hoping I get to experience eating cheese at a dairy farm where they also grow the cows’ food one day. It sounds incredibly fresh and delicious.
The Pasta Project says
It really is beautiful!
Alisa Infanti says
Your Ricotta Pasta looks soooo creamy and dreamy! This would make a great alternative to try instead of alfredo.
The Pasta Project says
Yes, it is perfect if you like creamy and dreamy! (and who doesn't?!)
Angela says
This looks lovely-ricotta is one of my favs.
The Pasta Project says
If you love ricotta then this is definitely a great recipe for you to try!
Heather says
This is so simple but still so elegant. I can't wait to try this for a weeknight dinner!
The Pasta Project says
Thank you, Heather. This dish is perfect for an easy week night or a meal with friends!
Erika says
These dishes look great. I love ricotta cheese!
The Pasta Project says
Thank you, Erika! I do too!
Raquel says
This looks really good! I may have to try it soon (:
The Pasta Project says
Thank you, Raquel!
Sara says
Yum yum! I can't wait to try both of them. I wonder if you can add nutmeg and walnuts or would my tastebuds explode from all that goodness 😉
The Pasta Project says
You absolutely can add nutmeg to the walnut pasta recipe 🙂
Sue says
I love your authentic Italian pasta recipes...I think I'm going to make this with walnuts AND nutmeg, yum!!
The Pasta Project says
Let me know how it goes Sue! I am not keen on garlic and nutmeg together, so I haven't tried that yet!
Ashley says
Yum! I love pasta with ricotta cheese! I stop by a local italian restaurant and pick it up from them. It makes all the difference!
The Pasta Project says
That is such a good idea, Ashley!
Matt Freund says
This looks really good. I want to try it.
The Pasta Project says
I hope you do, Matt!
Suzy says
I don't know why I haven't thought of using ricotta in my pasta sauce! This is such a great idea! Trying this out later with the nutmeg!
The Pasta Project says
Good luck Suzy, I hope you love it!