This post may contain affiliate links for which I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more info, check out my Disclosure Policy. Thank you for your support!
This 4-ingredient Ricotta and Pesto Pasta is the ideal 15-minute meal! An easy, gluten free pasta recipe which can be thrown together a hurry with creamy ricotta, zesty lemon and vibrant green pesto. Great for a light summer dinner.
Notes On This Pesto and Ricotta Pasta Recipe
- Gluten Free: I use gluten free pasta to make this easy dinner recipe completely gluten free and coeliac-safe. You only need 3 ingredients for the easy sauce!
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 15 minutes, this easy pasta recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or when you just don’t have the energy to cook.
- Versatile: Feel free to add whatever you like and use this recipe as a base. Shredded chicken or bacon go really well, as do extra veggies like peas, peppers, tomatoes and spinach. Or serve it with a delicious side salad.
- Updated for 2026: I love this recipe so I’ve given it a makeover for March 2026 with new step-by-step and ingredients photos to make it even easier to follow!
Table of Contents
Ingredients and Substitutions
There’s a printable recipe card below for this easy pesto and ricotta pasta recipe with the full quantities. But here are the main ingredients and ideas for any swaps.
- Gluten Free Pasta: I highly recommend Napolina, Rummo and Garofalo gluten free pasta – both a bit pricier but worth it in my opinion.
- Pesto: Make your own gluten free pesto or use shop-bought. Pesto is usually gluten free but the odd cheaper brand can contain wheat so always double check.
- Ricotta Cheese: You could use mascarpone or a cream cheese instead if you prefer.
- Lemon: Omit this if you’re not big on citrus flavours.
How to Make Pesto and Ricotta Pasta
There’s a printable recipe card below with the method. But here are some step-by-step photos to show you how easy this gluten free ricotta and pesto pasta recipe is to make.
Storing and Making Ahead
I recommend eating this recipe fresh, as gluten free pasta has a tendency to fall to pieces when cooked and reheated – and can be quite hard when cold! Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated, just don’t expect the best texture when eating.
To get ahead you could make the sauce ahead of time and then just add the pasta water and cooked pasta when cooking. Refrigerate the sauce before using.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some FAQs about this easy ricotta pasta recipe. If you can’t find the answer to your question here or in the post above, please comment and I’ll try answer!
This easy pesto and ricotta pasta recipe is perfect served with my gluten free garlic bread and a homemade rocket salad, or my 3-ingredient cheesy doughballs for mopping up that sauce!
Of course! Feel free to use this recipe as a base and add whatever you like. Diced chorizo or bacon add saltiness, chilli flakes can add a bit of spice, and toasted pine nuts can add crunch. I like to top mine with grated hard Italian cheese and fresh basil too, as well as an extra squeeze of fresh lemon.
Serve It With…
Pesto and Ricotta Pasta Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 400 g gluten free pasta
- 150 g ricotta cheese
- 50 g pesto
- 1 lemon, (juice only)
Instructions
- Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and then cook the gluten free pasta as per the pack instructions. This is usually around 8-10 minutes. Before draining the pasta, reserve some of the water (around 0.25 cup).
- Make the sauce by mixing the ricotta, pesto and lemon juice in a bowl. Before draining the pasta, add 0.25 cup (60ml) of the pasta water into the sauce and mix well.
- Drain the pasta and pour back into the pan. Pour over the sauce, mix well to coat the pasta and then serve hot.
Nutrition
More Gluten Free Pasta Recipes
If you like this pesto and ricotta pasta recipe then make sure you check out these other gluten free pasta recipes too…
- Butternut Squash Pasta
- Chicken and Chorizo Pasta
- Cheeseburger Pasta
- Creamy Sausage Pasta
- Chicken Fajita Pasta
- Ham and Mushroom Pasta
Have you tried this recipe?
I have a huge favour to ask! It’s getting more and more difficult to get my recipes out there to the world – so if you try this and love it, it would mean a HUGE amount if you’d come back and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review and a little comment telling me what you thought! Just 30 seconds of your time would be such a huge support! 💛
Want to connect further?
- Tag me on Instagram with your amazing creations so I can share them!
- Join my Facebook group to meet other awesome gluten free people.
- Subscribe to my Mailing List for all my new gluten free recipes first!
Hi. Can I ask what brand of ‘pasta’ you use? I’ve tried various + wasn’t impressed – but yours looks proper! Thanks
This was the Rummo pasta – it’s new in Sainsbury’s and Tesco and also on Amazon. SO good!!! The best pasta I’ve tried so far. This is the one I used in this recipe (but is cheaper in supermarkets) https://amzn.to/3EKANXt