5 from 30 votes
Ricotta, Arugula, Pine Nuts Penne Pasta
This penne pasta is tossed with a sauce of ricotta cheese, fresh arugula, pine nuts toasted in olive oil, and fresh herbs like parsley and basil. Parmesan cheese adds saltiness and richness, while reserved pasta water is used to adjust the sauce’s texture. The dish balances creamy and peppery flavors, with the pine nuts introducing toasted notes and crunchy texture fitting a warm pasta meal.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings:
4
people
Calories:
977 kcal
Course:
Main Course, Dinner
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta penne
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- ⅔ cup pine nuts
- 5 ounces arugula roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped
- 2 tablespoons basil chopped
- 1½ cup ricotta cheese whole milk
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted boiling water to a full boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instruction for al dente.
- In a small skillet add the olive oil and warm over medium-low heat. Add the pine nuts and cook over medium-low until they become golden.
- Reserve ½ cup of the boiling water of the pasta before draining. Drain the pasta and add them back to the pot. Add to it the pine nuts and the oil that they cooked into, the arugula, parsley, basil, ricotta, and half of the parmesan cheese.
- Mix well until all the ricotta cheese is melted and the pasta is coated with the sauce. If the pasta is too dry, add a few tablespoons at the time of the reserved cooking water to the pasta-cheese to soften it.
- Serve the pasta in warm dishes and sprinkle the remainder of the grated cheese over it.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
977kcal
(49%)
Carbohydrates
92g
(31%)
Protein
34g
(68%)
Fat
54g
(83%)
Saturated Fat
14g
(70%)
Cholesterol
56mg
(19%)
Sodium
296mg
(12%)
Potassium
637mg
(14%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
1570IU
(31%)
Vitamin C
8mg
(9%)
Calcium
426mg
(43%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 977
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 977kcal | 49% |
| Carbohydrates | 92g | 31% |
| Protein | 34g | 68% |
| Fat | 54g | 83% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Cholesterol | 56mg | 19% |
| Sodium | 296mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 637mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 1570IU | 31% |
| Vitamin C | 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 426mg | 43% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.