Fresh
Lemon & Pea Fresh Penne
A 20-minute dinner that feels lighter than it is. Peas and ricotta make a sauce that coats without heaviness, lemon zest keeps everything bright, and the whole dish comes together while the pasta is still boiling. Cibo di Italia Classic Penne Rigate grips the creamy sauce in its ridges so the flavour is there in every single bite.
Ingredients
- 400 g Cibo di Italia Classic Penne Rigate
- 300 g frozen peas — no need to defrost
- 200 g ricotta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 pieces garlic cloves — finely grated
- 1 piece lemon — zest and juice
- 40 g parmesan — finely grated, plus extra to finish
- 10 g fresh mint leaves — roughly torn
- to taste salt and black pepper
- 1 pinch chilli flakes — optional, leave out for young kids
Method
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Step 1. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook the penne rigate for 9–11 minutes — taste at 9 for al dente. Add the frozen peas for the last 2 minutes.
11 min
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Step 2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a wide pan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook gently for 1 minute without colouring.
1 min
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Step 3. Remove from heat and stir in the ricotta, lemon zest, half the lemon juice and a pinch of salt and pepper. Beat until smooth.
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Step 4. Reserve a large mug of pasta water before draining. Drain the penne and peas together.
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Step 5. Add the drained pasta and peas to the ricotta pan. Pour in about 100ml of pasta water and toss vigorously — the ricotta loosens into a silky sauce that clings to the ridges.
1 min
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Step 6. Stir in the parmesan and remaining lemon juice. Taste and adjust — it may need more salt or a squeeze more lemon. Loosen with extra pasta water if the sauce feels thick.
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Step 7. Plate up and scatter over the torn mint, chilli flakes (if using) and extra parmesan. Serve immediately.
Goes well with
A handful of dressed rocket with lemon and olive oil alongside.
Sparkling water with fresh mint and sliced cucumber.
Fresh melon or watermelon slices — cool and clean after the lemon pasta.
Nutrition
Scaled to your servings
- 460kcalCalories23%
- 68gCarbohydrate26%
- 18gProtein36%
- 12gFat17%
The pasta we used
Cibo di Italia Penne Rigate
500g · Cooks in 9–11 minutes · Serves ~5
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