23 Incredibly Rich Ricotta Pasta Dishes

These creamy ricotta pasta recipes transform simple ingredients into restaurant-quality meals. From classic lasagna to stuffed shells, ricotta adds luxurious texture to every dish.

Each recipe showcases ricotta’s versatility in both traditional Italian dishes and modern twists. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

01. Bacon Clam Stuffed Pasta Shells

This version uses jumbo shells filled with bacon, clams, peppers, and creamy ricotta mixture. The seafood and pork combination creates incredible depth of flavor.

The shells get stuffed generously then baked until bubbly and golden. Each bite delivers restaurant-quality clams casino flavors in pasta form.

Perfect for special dinners when you want to impress guests. Takes about an hour but the results are truly spectacular.

02. Butternut Squash Spinach Lasagna

This colorful version layers roasted butternut squash with ricotta, spinach, and pasta sheets. The sweet squash balances perfectly with creamy cheese and earthy greens.

Roasting the squash first concentrates its natural sweetness. Optional pesto or mushroom layers add even more flavor complexity to each serving.

Great for vegetarian main courses or holiday gatherings. The vibrant colors make this lasagna as beautiful as it tastes.

03. Sicilian Eggplant Pasta

This classic Sicilian dish combines fried eggplant, fresh ricotta, ripe tomatoes, and basil. The eggplant gets golden and tender while absorbing amazing flavors.

Traditional preparation fries the eggplant until silky smooth. Fresh ricotta salata on top adds a salty finish that complements the sweet tomatoes.

Perfect for anyone who loves authentic Italian vegetarian cuisine. This method creates the most flavorful eggplant pasta you’ll ever taste.

04. Bright Lemon Ricotta Spinach Pasta

This vibrant dish uses fresh lemon juice, creamy ricotta, and tender spinach with your favorite pasta. The citrus brightens every single bite beautifully.

The lemon juice gets mixed directly into warm ricotta for instant creaminess. Fresh spinach wilts perfectly when tossed with hot pasta and sauce.

Works great as either a side dish or meatless main course. You can have this ready in under twenty minutes.

05. Healthy Turkey Pasta Bake

This hearty version uses whole wheat penne, low-fat ricotta, and lean ground turkey. The combination creates a satisfying yet lighter pasta bake option.

Any pasta shape works well including gluten-free or lentil varieties. The turkey stays moist while baking thanks to the creamy ricotta mixture.

Perfect for busy weeknight meals that need to satisfy everyone. Great for meal prep since it reheats beautifully for lunches.

06. Individual Cheese Pepper Lasagna

This twist on cacio e pepe uses ricotta, mozzarella, and Pecorino Romano in individual ramekins. The classic cheese and pepper combination gets a lasagna makeover.

Individual portions make serving incredibly easy for dinner parties. The three cheeses create layers of flavor from mild to sharp and tangy.

Takes more time but creates restaurant-quality presentation. Perfect when you want elegant comfort food that impresses every guest.

07. Spinach Ricotta Pasta Roll-Ups

These roll-ups use lasagna noodles filled with classic spinach and ricotta mixture. Each noodle gets rolled individually for beautiful individual servings.

Store-bought fresh pasta sheets work perfectly when you’re short on time. Sage butter sauce makes these taste incredibly fresh and restaurant-worthy.

Great alternative to traditional lasagna when you want something more elegant. Each person gets their own perfectly portioned pasta roll.

08. Tangy Ricotta Pasta Sauce

This creamy sauce uses ricotta instead of heavy cream for lighter tanginess. Orecchiette pasta holds the sauce perfectly in every little cup-shaped piece.

The base sauce works with countless additions like pesto, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes. Ricotta salata on top adds wonderful salty contrast.

Perfect for summer meals when you want something creamy but not too heavy. This method creates incredible versatility for countless variations.

09. Crab Spaghetti Lasagna

This unique version layers cooked spaghetti with tender crab meat and creamy ricotta Parmesan sauce. Veggie-rich tomato sauce tops everything beautifully.

Any shellfish works well including shrimp or mussels for variety. The spaghetti creates interesting texture compared to traditional lasagna sheets.

Perfect for special seafood dinners when you want something truly unique. Takes time but creates an unforgettable Italian-inspired seafood experience.

10. Kale Meat Sauce Lasagna

This rich version substitutes kale for spinach alongside hearty meat sauce and ricotta layers. Kale adds earthier flavor than traditional spinach varieties.

The slow cooker method for sauce saves time during assembly. Make sauce ahead then layer everything the next day for easier preparation.

Takes more time but creates incredibly satisfying results. Perfect when you want traditional comfort food with a healthy green vegetable twist.

11. Fresh Basil Ricotta Gnocchi

These ricotta-based gnocchi use fresh basil instead of traditional spinach. The light dumplings cook in just minutes for quick weeknight dinners.

Serve immediately with melted butter, pesto, or simple tomato sauce. The ricotta makes these incredibly tender compared to potato-based versions.

Great for when you want homemade pasta without rolling and cutting. These cook so quickly you can have dinner ready incredibly fast.

12. Four Cheese Homemade Ravioli

This version uses ricotta, cream cheese, mozzarella, and provolone for incredible richness. Making pasta from scratch takes time but creates restaurant-quality results.

The four cheese filling provides layers of flavor from mild to sharp. Pesto cream sauce makes these taste like expensive restaurant appetizers.

Takes more time but the effort shows in every single bite. Perfect for special occasions when you want to create something truly memorable.

13. Popular Vegetable Lasagna

This highly-rated version blends ricotta and mozzarella with plenty of tomato sauce and vegetables. The creamy cheese mixture balances perfectly with tangy tomatoes.

Multiple vegetables add texture and nutrition to every layer. The cheese blend creates the perfect creamy consistency that vegetarians absolutely love.

Perfect for vegetarian main courses that satisfy even meat-eaters. This method has converted countless people to loving vegetable lasagna.

14. Italian Sausage Baked Ziti

This popular version combines Italian sausages, ricotta, and ziti pasta in one comforting baked dish. Aluminum foil keeps everything moist during baking.

Plant-based sausages work perfectly for vegetarian versions. The ricotta keeps the pasta creamy while the sausage adds hearty protein.

Great for family gatherings since everyone always requests this dish. Covers tightly and bakes evenly for perfect results every time.

15. Three Cheese Vegetarian Baked Ziti

This meatless version uses ricotta, goat cheese, and mozzarella with mushrooms and spinach. The three cheeses create perfect creaminess throughout.

Any soft vegetables work well including zucchini, eggplant, or broccoli florets. The goat cheese adds tangy complexity to traditional ricotta flavors.

Perfect for vegetarians who want hearty comfort food. This method handles countless vegetable combinations for endless variety and creativity.

16. Classic Spinach Ricotta Tortellini

These ring-shaped pasta parcels use traditional spinach and fresh ricotta filling. Learning the folding technique creates beautiful restaurant-quality tortellini at home.

Make ahead and chill for up to two days before cooking. The tortellini only need a few minutes in boiling water.

Great for when you want to learn traditional pasta-making skills. The classic filling combination never goes out of style or flavor.

17. Fall Pumpkin Lasagna

This five-star version combines pumpkin, mushrooms, nutmeg, and ricotta cheese for incredible fall flavors. The pumpkin adds natural sweetness and beautiful color.

Nutmeg enhances the pumpkin’s natural warmth perfectly. The mushrooms add earthy depth that complements the sweet pumpkin and creamy ricotta.

Perfect for autumn dinner parties when you want seasonal elegance. This could easily become your favorite fall pasta dish every year.

18. Simple Turmeric Ricotta Pasta

This quick version uses just four ingredients: ricotta, Grana Padano, turmeric, and black pepper with fusilloni pasta. The turmeric adds beautiful golden color.

Pasta water helps create the perfect creamy consistency. The simple ingredients let each flavor shine without overwhelming the delicate ricotta.

Perfect for dinner for two in just twenty minutes. This method proves that simple ingredients can create absolutely delightful meals.

19. Easy Three Cheese Pasta Bake

This simple version mixes ricotta and Parmesan into creamy sauce then tops with mozzarella. Ziti pasta holds the sauce perfectly in every bite.

Leftover ham or breadcrumb toppings add extra texture and flavor. The three cheeses create layers from mild to sharp and stretchy.

Great for busy weeknights when you want comfort food fast. This method creates satisfying results with minimal effort or special ingredients.

20. Herb Stuffed Pasta Shells

These jumbo shells get filled with ricotta, basil, garlic, fennel seeds, and spinach mixture. Each shell becomes a perfect individual serving portion.

Make extra and freeze individual portions for ready-made future suppers. Your favorite tomato sauce works perfectly for the baking liquid.

Perfect for family-friendly weeknight meals that everyone loves. This method makes serving incredibly easy since shells don’t need cutting.

21. Simple Garlic Ricotta Spaghetti

This Italian-style dish transforms simple ricotta, garlic, and basil into luxurious pasta. The simplest ingredients create the most elegant flavors.

Warm serving bowls keep everything at perfect temperature. Coarse black pepper and lemon juice add bright finishing touches.

Perfect for when you want restaurant-quality results from pantry ingredients. This method proves that simple can be absolutely spectacular.

22. Chicken White Sauce Lasagna

This tomato-free version layers shredded chicken with ricotta, spinach, and white sauce. The absence of tomatoes lets the creamy flavors shine.

Perfect for family gatherings when you want something different from traditional lasagna. The white sauce creates incredibly rich and satisfying layers.

Great for people who prefer milder flavors without tomato acidity. This five-star recipe always gets requested at every family gathering.

23. Three Cheese Stuffed Manicotti

These large pasta tubes get filled with decadent ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan mixture. The three cheeses create perfect richness in every bite.

A piping bag makes filling the tubes incredibly fast and much easier. The large tubes hold generous amounts of the creamy cheese mixture.

Perfect for when you want elegant stuffed pasta without complicated preparation. This method creates restaurant-quality results that always impress guests.

Final Thoughts

These ricotta pasta recipes prove that creamy, satisfying meals don’t require complicated techniques. From quick weeknight dinners to elegant entertaining options, ricotta transforms ordinary pasta into extraordinary comfort food.

Whether you choose simple garlic spaghetti or elaborate stuffed shells, these recipes will inspire countless delicious meals in your kitchen.