Best 9 Penne With Ricotta And Asparagus Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary journey with our exquisite Penne with Ricotta and Asparagus recipe, a delightful symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This delectable dish combines the delicate sweetness of asparagus, the creamy richness of ricotta cheese, and the nutty flavor of toasted pine nuts, all harmoniously blended with a touch of lemon zest and Parmesan cheese. Our second recipe, Penne with Asparagus and Lemon Butter Sauce, offers a vibrant and refreshing take on the classic pasta dish, featuring tender asparagus tossed in a luscious lemon butter sauce, complemented with a sprinkling of fresh herbs. Finally, our third recipe, Asparagus and Ricotta Stuffed Shells, elevates the dining experience with a delightful combination of ricotta and asparagus filling encased in delicate pasta shells, baked to perfection in a flavorful tomato sauce.

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

PENNE WITH ASPARAGUS AND CHERRY TOMATOES (SPRING)



Penne with Asparagus and Cherry Tomatoes (Spring) image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 15m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

8 ounces penne pasta
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 pounds thin asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups (about 9 ounces) cherry tomatoes
1 cup shelled fresh peas
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken stock
1 cup grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
  • In a large saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the asparagus, season with the salt and pepper, and cook for 3 minutes until slightly soft. Add the cherry tomatoes and peas. Cook for 2 minutes. Pour the chicken stock into the pan and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook until the tomatoes start to burst and the stock is reduced by half, about 3 minutes.
  • Transfer the asparagus mixture to a large serving bowl. Add the cooked pasta and 1/2 of the Parmesan. Toss well, adding reserved pasta water, if needed, to loosen the pasta. Garnish with the remaining Parmesan and chopped basil.

PASTA WITH ASPARAGUS, ARUGULA AND RICOTTA



Pasta With Asparagus, Arugula and Ricotta image

This recipe works best if you use thin asparagus and peppery wild arugula, available at some farmers' markets.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories     dinner, pastas, main course

Time 15m

Yield Serves four

Number Of Ingredients 8

3/4 pound thin asparagus, woody ends snapped off, cut into 1-inch lengths
Salt
3/4 pound penne, fusilli or bow-tie pasta
1/2 cup fresh ricotta
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
A generous handful of baby arugula or wild arugula leaves, rinsed and spun dry (about 1 ounce, or 1 cup tightly packed)
Freshly ground pepper
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and add a generous amount of salt. Add the asparagus. Cook pencil-thin asparagus for two minutes, three to four minutes if stems are medium-thick. Transfer to a bowl of ice-cold water. Drain and set aside.
  • Place the ricotta in a large pasta bowl.
  • Bring the water back to a boil, and add the pasta. Cook al dente, following the directions for timing on the package but checking a minute before the suggested cooking time. Stir 1/3 cup of the pasta cooking water into the ricotta. Drain the pasta and toss at once with the olive oil and ricotta, the arugula, asparagus and Parmesan. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 485, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 69 grams, Fat 15 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 20 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 513 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams

PENNE WITH RICOTTA AND ASPARAGUS



Penne With Ricotta and Asparagus image

Provided by Amanda Hesser

Categories     dinner, weekday, pastas, main course

Time 20m

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

Sea salt
1 1/4 pounds thick asparagus, ends trimmed
1 pound penne rigate
1 clove garlic, peeled
15 ounces whole-milk ricotta
2 tablespoons olive oil
2/3 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with enough salt that the water tastes salty. Add the asparagus and cook until tender but still firm, about 4 minutes. Lift out the asparagus with tongs and transfer to an ice bath. Cut into 1/8 -inch slices, leaving tips intact.
  • Bring the water back to a boil and add the penne.
  • Meanwhile, rub a large serving bowl with the garlic. Add the ricotta, olive oil and 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water; blend. When the pasta is done, drain it (reserving some water) and add it to the ricotta mixture. Top with the asparagus and half the Parmesan cheese, then fold everything together. Season to taste, adding some reserved pasta water if needed. Divide among 4 shallow bowls and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 769, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams, Carbohydrate 94 grams, Fat 27 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 37 grams, SaturatedFat 13 grams, Sodium 902 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams

ASPARAGUS PASTA BAKE



Asparagus Pasta Bake image

This asparagus pasta bake is a slightly fancier version of the baked ziti classic.

Provided by PaulD

Categories     100+ Pasta and Noodle Recipes     Pasta by Shape Recipes     Ziti Recipes

Time 1h25m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 pound ziti pasta
1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
1 (28 ounce) jar tomato sauce, divided
2 cups finely shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
⅓ cup chopped fresh parsley
½ pound asparagus, trimmed
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large red bell pepper, diced

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook ziti at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
  • Add ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and parsley to drained pasta. Mix and set aside.
  • Chop trimmed asparagus into 1/4-inch slices, separating stems and tips.
  • Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute for 5 minutes. Stir in asparagus stems; cook for another 3 minutes. Add bell pepper and cook, 2 to 3 minutes. Add asparagus tips and cook, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Spread 1 cup tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Add 1/2 of the pasta mixture and smooth into an even layer. Sprinkle 1/2 of the vegetables on top. Top with 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Add remaining pasta in an even layer, followed by remaining vegetables. Cover with remaining tomato sauce. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake, uncovered, on the middle rack of the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Move to the top rack and continue to bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 5 minutes more. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 456.4 calories, Carbohydrate 55.2 g, Cholesterol 32.6 mg, Fat 15.8 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 23.3 g, SaturatedFat 7.3 g, Sodium 801.2 mg, Sugar 7.5 g

ONE-POT PASTA WITH ASPARAGUS AND RICOTTA



One-Pot Pasta with Asparagus and Ricotta image

This recipe is sponsored by Target. Everything cooks in the same pot in this game-changing dinner: the aromatics (onions and garlic), the spring vegetables (asparagus and peas), and even the noodles (no separate pot of boiling water necessary!). It's finished with lemon, fresh basil and dollops of creamy ricotta.

Provided by Kelly Senyei

Categories     main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 pound uncooked farfalle pasta
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
4 cups vegetable broth
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup frozen peas
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup ricotta
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves

Steps:

  • Combine the pasta, onions, garlic, asparagus, broth and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot. Place over medium heat and cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture boils, 7 to 10 minutes. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes.
  • Stir in the frozen peas and continue to cook until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 2 minutes. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the pasta to serving bowls and top with dollops of ricotta and a sprinkling of Parmesan. Garnish with basil leaves and serve.

SPRINGTIME PENNE



Springtime Penne image

With ham, asparagus, onion and pasta in a creamy sauce, this stovetop supper is tasty enough for even your pickiest guests. It's great with penne, but you can also try it with mostaccioli or another type of pasta.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 20m

Yield 5 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 cups uncooked penne pasta
1 pound fresh asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large onion, chopped
1/4 cup butter
1/2 pound cubed fully cooked ham
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
Shredded Parmesan cheese, optional

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute asparagus and onion in butter for 5-8 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender., Add the ham, cream, pepper and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook over low heat for 1 minute. Drain pasta. Add to the asparagus mixture; toss to coat. If desired, top with shredded Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 389 calories, Fat 21g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 75mg cholesterol, Sodium 617mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 16g protein.

PENNE AND ASPARAGUS WITH RICOTTA CHEESE



Penne and Asparagus with Ricotta Cheese image

Categories     Cheese     Low Fat     Ricotta     Asparagus     Healthy

Yield makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (14 1/2-ounce) box of fiber-enriched penne pasta (I used Ronzoni Smart Taste Penne Rigate)
1 pound trimmed asparagus, cut into 2-inch diagonal pieces
2 teaspoons freshly minced garlic
1 cup low-fat ricotta cheese (I used Precious, which is the same as Sorrento in various parts of the country)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup reduced-fat grated Parmesan cheese (look for it in a plastic canister or jar, not in the refrigerated section)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste, optional

Steps:

  • Cook the pasta according to package directions, omitting any oil or butter.
  • Two to four minutes before the pasta is done, add the asparagus to the water (2 minutes for thin spears, 4 minutes for thick). Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water in a small bowl. Drain the pasta.
  • Meanwhile, add the garlic, ricotta, and olive oil to a large serving bowl. As soon as the pasta is drained, mix in 1/3 cup of the reserved pasta water. Immediately add the pasta and asparagus and gently toss until the pasta and asparagus are coated with the cheese mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Gently toss again. If the mixture seems too dry, add more reserved pasta water, about 1/4 cup at a time, until no longer dry. Sprinkle the Parmesan over the pasta and sprinkle with the red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve immediately.
  • nutrition information
  • Each (about 2-cup) serving has:
  • Calories: 318
  • Protein: 15g
  • Carbohydrates: 60g
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 18mg
  • Fiber: 9g
  • Sodium: 183mg

PENNE WITH ASPARAGUS, RICOTTA AND LEMON



Penne With Asparagus, Ricotta and Lemon image

This recipe is from the Reader's Digest, Magic foods for better blood sugar book. I don't eat a lot of pasta because let's face it, it's just not that healthy, or low fat. But there are times where I crave pasta and am always looking for a healthy, fast and tasty version to have on hand. This serves nice with a side salad and a piece of low glycemic bread such as pumpernickel or sourdough. Instead of butter, a low fat ricotta mixed with a tsp of olive oil and some chili flakes is a nice low glycemic spread. There is also a variation here for Penne with Spinach, Ricotta and Lemon, however I have not tried this variation.

Provided by kelly in TO

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 40m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/2 cup reduced-fat ricotta cheese
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, divided
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt (to taste)
fresh ground black pepper
2 cups whole wheat penne (or spelt)
1 lb asparagus, stem ends snapped off, cut into 11/2 inch lengths (2 cups)

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of light salted water to a boil for cooking the penne.
  • Stir together the ricotta, 1/4 cup of the parmesan, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth.
  • Add the penne to the boiling water and cook, stirring occasionally for 4 minutes. Add the asparagus and cook until the penne is al dente (Do not overcook penne) and the asparagus is tender, 4 to 5 minutes longer. Reserve 1/3 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and asparagus and place in a large bowl.
  • Add 1/3 cup of the reserved pasta cooking water to the ricotta mixture, whisking until smooth. Toss the pasta with the ricotta sauce.
  • Pass the remaining parmesan separately.
  • One serving is 11/2 cups.
  • VARIATION: Penne with Spinach, Ricotta, and Lemon.
  • In step 3 omit the asparagus; cook the penne for 8 to10 minutes. While the penne is cooking, cook one 10 ounce (300-gram) package of frozen spinach according to package directions. In step 4 Toss the penne with the ricotta sauce and spinach.

ASPARAGUS PENNE



Asparagus Penne image

Penne and delicious asparagus, highlighted with cherry (or grape) tomatoes. Plunk em' in, and just devour!

Provided by Andi Longmeadow Farm

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 15m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

6 ounces penne pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 lb thin asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup frozen peas (or fresh if you have)
1/2 cup vegetable stock
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaf

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
  • In a large saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the asparagus, season with the salt and pepper, and cook for 3 minutes until slightly soft. Add the cherry tomatoes and peas. Cook for 2 minutes. Pour the stock into the pan and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook until the tomatoes start to burst and the stock is reduced by half, about 3 minutes.
  • Transfer the asparagus mixture to a large serving bowl. Add the cooked pasta and 1/2 of the Parmesan. Toss well, adding reserved pasta water, if needed, to loosen the pasta. Garnish with the remaining Parmesan and chopped basil.

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use fresh asparagus and ricotta cheese.
  • If you don't have heavy cream, you can use milk instead. Just add a little more cheese to thicken the sauce.
  • To make the dish even more flavorful, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or grated Parmesan cheese.
  • This dish is best served immediately, but it can be reheated in the microwave or oven.

Conclusion:

Penne with Ricotta and Asparagus is a delicious and easy-to-make pasta dish that is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover asparagus. The creamy ricotta sauce is perfectly complemented by the slightly bitter asparagus and the nutty flavor of the pine nuts. This dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

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