Lemon Ricotta Gemelli Delight

1. Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once the water is bubbling, add the pasta and cook it according to the package instructions until it reaches al dente texture. Just before draining, reserve a cup of the pasta cooking water.

2. Prepare the Sauce

In the same pot used for boiling the pasta, combine the ricotta, freshly grated Parmesan, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir these ingredients together until they form a smooth, creamy mixture.

3. Combine Pasta with Sauce

Stir half a cup of the reserved pasta water into the ricotta mixture. Drain the pasta and set it aside for a moment. Add the drained pasta to the pot with the sauce. Stir vigorously to ensure each piece of pasta is well coated. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little more of the reserved pasta water until you reach the desired consistency.

4. Serve

Divide the pasta among your bowls. Top each serving with any remaining sauce, a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan, a touch of black pepper, and a pinch of red-pepper flakes. Scatter some torn or thinly sliced basil leaves on top for a fresh, herbal finish.