This skillet ricotta pasta is a perfect weeknight meal! Silky smooth ricotta sauce that comes together in minutes, coats your favorite noodles and gets tossed with roasted broccoli. Easy as can be!

I’m on team #easydinner this week! 

skillet ricotta pasta with roasted broccoli

Getting back into the swing of things this season has been crazy in our house, so weeknight dinners have been as simple as can be. Bonus points if it’s something we all love and can be made in 30 minutes or less!

ricotta cheese

Because here’s the thing – this is SO embarrassingly easy. I mean, majorly easy. 

The entire dish takes about 20 minutes – maybe a bit longer if you account for the time it takes to preheat your oven. Because roasted broccoli is getting thrown into this pasta and it’s the best thing ever.

pasta in creamy ricotta sauce

Broccoli is the current favorite vegetable in our house. I make it at least four or five days a week. The kids love it – Eddie likes it, even though he prefers raw over roasted (eeeek) and I find myself actually craving it.

I mean, how? Who am I?!

skillet ricotta pasta

This creamy ricotta sauce is made in a skillet and comes together in a minute or so. It makes the pasta dish feel incredibly light, but also gives that comforting creamy coating to the pasta. It’s like a big cozy indulgent hug, without being heavy. 

skillet ricotta pasta with roasted broccoli

Here’s how it goes down:

Boil some pasta – any shape! – and reserve a little bit of the starchy pasta water. 

Roast the broccoli to your desired roastiness. I find it to be perfect after 20 minutes in the oven at 425. This is my go-to roast time and temp for broccoli.

While the broccoli roasts, saute some garlic in olive oil. Whisk in ricotta cheese until it turns silky and sauce-like. Whisk in the reserved pasta water so it becomes even MORE silky. Salt and pepper.

Throw in the broccoli. And done! 

skillet ricotta pasta with roasted broccoli

That’s right. There isn’t even parmesan in this, although it would be a welcomed addition if you wish.

skillet ricotta pasta with roasted broccoli up close

As usual, the best part is that you can use this as a base for whatever you have in the fridge! Add a bunch of vegetables, add some grilled chicken or even shrimp. It can be incredibly simple or next-level clean-out-the-fridge loaded. Your call!

skillet ricotta pasta with roasted broccoli

Skillet Ricotta Pasta with Roasted Broccoli

Skillet Ricotta Pasta with Roasted Broccoli

Skillet ricotta pasta is a perfect weeknight meal! Silky smooth ricotta sauce that coats your favorite noodles, tossed with roasted broccoli.
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Ingredients

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place the broccoli florets on a baking sheet and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil (or use a spray olive oil if you wish!). Season all over with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes, or until golden and slightly charred.
  • While the broccoli is roasting, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta according to the directions. Remember to reserve your pasta water!
  • Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the ricotta cheese. It will take a few minutes for it to become creamy. Add a big pinch of salt and pepper. Stir in the lemon juice and ½ cup of reserved pasta water until the sauce is smooth and silky. You can add a bit more pasta water if you find it needs to be thinner or smoother! This will all depend on the brand of your ricotta. Taste the ricotta mixture and add more salt and pepper if needed. Don't skip tasting it!
  • Add in the pasta and toss well to coat in the ricotta mixture. Toss in the roasted broccoli.
  • Top with crushed red pepper flakes and serve! Sprinkle with parmesan if you’d like!
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skillet ricotta pasta with roasted broccoli

It’s killer creaminess!