Lemon Butter Pasta with Ricotta and Spicy Breadcrumbs
The simplest 20 Minute Lemon Butter Pasta with Ricotta and Spicy Breadcrumbs…for laid back summer nights. This pasta is buttery, garlicky, and tossed with caramelized lemon and fresh basil. Serve over creamy whipped ricotta and finish off with spicy breadcrumbs for a delicious crunch.
Equipment
- Large Skillet (I prefer cast-iron, it goes from stove/oven to table)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoon drained capers
- 1/2-1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 3/4- pounds angel hair pasta
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 6 tablespoons cold salted butter
- 1 lemon sliced, seeds removed
- 1 cup fresh basil chopped
- 1 zucchini or yellow summer squash very thinly sliced
- 3-4 cloves garlic minced or grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves or 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 8 ounces ricotta cheese whipped, if desired
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil, the breadcrumbs, capers, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally until the breadcrumbs are toasted all over and the capers fried, about 4 minutes. Remove the breadcrumbs from the skillet. Season with salt.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain.
- Meanwhile, set your skillet over medium-high heat. Add the 2 tablespoons butter and lemon slices. Sear until the lemon is caramelized, about 1 minute per side. Remove the lemon from the skillet. Finely chop the lemon slices and mix with the basil.
- To the skillet, add the remaining butter, zucchini, garlic, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until the zucchini is golden, 5 minutes. Watch the garlic closely. Remove from the heat, stir in the pasta and 1/2 of the lemon/basil.
- Spread the ricotta into bowls. Add the pasta. Top with breadcrumbs and additional lemon/basil. Twirl the pasta up with the cheese. EAT and ENJOY.
Notes
To Make Fresh Breadcrumbs: Pulse torn bread in a food processor until roughly the size of peppercorns. I like to use ciabatta or crusty sourdough bread. If using fresh crumbs, toast them 3-4 minutes in the skillet first.
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