Elegant Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Grilled Artichokes

Ingredients

• 12 oz pasta
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 tbsp lemon zest, freshly grated
• 1 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 4 cups artichoke hearts, grilled
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 cup basil leaves, freshly chopped

Method

1. 01
   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. 02
   While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a grill pan over medium heat. Add artichoke hearts and grill until they are golden and slightly charred, about 5 minutes on each side. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. 03
   In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and well-blended.
4. 04
   Add the cooked pasta to the ricotta mixture and toss until the pasta is well-coated with the creamy sauce.
5. 05
   Fold in the grilled artichokes and grated parmesan cheese. Mix gently to combine all ingredients.
6. 06
   Transfer the pasta to a serving platter. Garnish with freshly chopped basil leaves for a burst of color and flavor.
7. 07
   Serve immediately, perhaps with a sprinkle of additional parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.