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Maccheroni alla Ricotta (Macaroni with Ricotta)

By Paula |

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White bowl with Macaroni with Ricotta pasta. Green napkin underneath bowl. Fork to side. Small white bowl of pistachios in background.

How about a pasta dish that you can make with just THREE ingredients? How about a pasta dish you can make in under TEN minutes? Now that is my kind of math 3 ingredients plus 10 minutes ; ) I thought you might like that too!  Close up of white bowl of Macaroni with Ricotta pasta. Small white bowl of pistachios in background.

To me, some of the simplest pasta dishes are the best. This dish fits that bill. It combines maccheroni aka macaroni around these parts ; ) Which is any short tubular pasta shape. Ricotta, and pistachios. That’s it. Well there’s also salt, but that’s a gimme right!

salt cellar partially opened and scattered ziti pasta on cutting board.

I used a ziti rigati because I like the way the ricotta sauce sticks to the grooves of the pasta. Rigatoni would also do the job quite nicely. The hardest part of this recipe is going to be shelling the pistachios. And for me, trying NOT to eat them all before it’s time to use them.

closeup photo of pistachios on cutting board.

I love the bite from the al dente pasta, the creamy way the ricotta cheese coats the pasta and the crunch from the pistachios that hide in the nooks and crannies. Pasta takes me to my happy place : )

White bowl of Macaroni with Ricotta pasta. Green napkin under bowl. Fork to side. Small white bowl of pistachios in background.

You’ll want to be sure to toss the WARM pasta into the ricotta and pistachio mixture immediately. You want them to meet and greet each other quickly ; ) No small chit chat needed. Have your bowl and fork ready, this isn’t one you want to let sit around. Come and get it while it’s HOT! 

 

Maccheroni alla Ricotta {Macaroni with Ricotta}
What you’ll need:
1 pound long tubular pasta – I used Ziti Rigati
salt
1 cup ricotta
1/2 cup pistachios – {shelled} roughly chopped

What to do:
1. Place a large pot generously seasoned with salt on to boil. When boiling, add pasta and cook until al dente. {reserve some of the pasta water}

2. WHILE the pasta is cooking, into a small – medium bowl add ricotta, 4-5 tablespoons of pasta water. Stir to combine. Add pistachios. Stir to combine.

3.  Drain pasta and return to pot. Place the ricotta mixture into pot with pasta. Stir to incorporate. If mixture is too thick, thin with some of the reserved pasta water. Serve immediately.

 

Filed Under: Pasta Tagged With: Macaroni, Maccheroni, Nuts, Pasta, Pistachios, Ricotta

Comments

  1. DessertForTwo says

    01/28/2011 at 12:16 pm

    This is my kind of lunch! The photos look great–is that due to the sheets (ehem, light diffusers) and chip clips?? 😉

    • Paula says

      01/28/2011 at 5:11 pm

      Why yes, I did. I was practicing what I learned last weekend ;- )

  2. Mrs. Jen B says

    01/28/2011 at 1:04 pm

    YUM! And I have all of these ingredients at home! 🙂

    • Paula says

      01/28/2011 at 5:14 pm

      Thanks Jen! I love to make this is I haven’t eaten all of the pistachios first that is ; )

  3. Lora @cakeduchess says

    01/28/2011 at 1:42 pm

    I love the flavors! Gorgeous photos. I also love the simplicity of ricotta in my pasta dishes:)

    • Paula says

      01/28/2011 at 5:15 pm

      Grazie Cara! xoxo

  4. Rossella says

    01/28/2011 at 1:52 pm

    I love pistachios. Adding them give such a special color! Great your combination with ricotta.

    • Paula says

      01/28/2011 at 5:15 pm

      Adoro i pistacchi…

  5. EatLiveRun says

    01/28/2011 at 3:08 pm

    three ingredients!! Looks wonderful.

    • Paula says

      01/28/2011 at 5:15 pm

      Thank you. It’s even better when you make the ricotta yourself ; )

  6. kate @ the parsley thief says

    01/28/2011 at 3:58 pm

    This is my kind of meal…the ultimate comfort food! Yum!

    • Paula says

      01/28/2011 at 5:16 pm

      Thanks Kate. Pasta is just perfection in a bowl to me. Absolutely comfort food.

  7. Cakewhiz says

    01/28/2011 at 4:06 pm

    This recipe looks so simple yet delicious at the same time.
    And gorgeous pictures!

    • Paula says

      01/28/2011 at 5:17 pm

      Thanks so much. I really appreciate the kind words.

  8. Susan @ SGCC says

    01/28/2011 at 4:43 pm

    Looks great! My mother used to make this for me all the time when I was little, except she used walnuts instead of pistachios.

    • Paula says

      01/28/2011 at 5:21 pm

      Thanks Susan! I’ve had it with walnuts too and it’s equally tasty ; )

  9. Sprinkling of Sugar says

    01/28/2011 at 5:12 pm

    AGREED!!!! The simplest pasta dishes are always the best! And the dishes I most crave. If I’m trying to be healthy my favorite splurge is always some form of pasta and cheese, it is simply the best. Thanks for this great idea!

    • Paula says

      01/28/2011 at 5:21 pm

      Ah, grazie! I completely agree!

  10. Brian @ A Thought For Food says

    01/28/2011 at 5:15 pm

    Pistachios are one of those things that I can never stop eating if they’re around. Seriously… if they’re around I have to tell people to take them away. I’m that obsessed.

    So this pasta dish includes some of my absolute favorite ingredients.

    • Paula says

      01/28/2011 at 5:21 pm

      I knew I liked you Brian ; )

  11. melissa @IWasBornToCook says

    01/28/2011 at 10:18 pm

    This looks perfect. I LOVE pistachios. Great combination!

  12. Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says

    01/29/2011 at 9:11 am

    Seriously simple! Now this is perfect for those days when you just don’t feel like making anything too involved for dinner.

  13. Georgia Pellegrini says

    01/29/2011 at 3:07 pm

    This is great…I know friends who eat ricotta on its own because they love it that much…the ricotta in this dish must make the pasta moist and creamy -perfect!

  14. Lauren from Lauren's Latest says

    01/29/2011 at 3:52 pm

    This is my kind of meal! 3 ingredients in 10 minutes! Awesome, Paula! You should post more of these! I’m always looking for a quick dinner!

  15. The Food Hunter says

    01/31/2011 at 1:22 pm

    I lovwe the pistachios in this.

  16. Magic of Spice says

    01/31/2011 at 6:07 pm

    I agree some of the simplest pasta dishes are the best…love that you added pistachios 🙂

  17. Kelly @ EvilShenanigans says

    01/31/2011 at 10:42 pm

    OMG … Amazing! I am not a huge fan of pistachios, but I bet some toasted walnuts would work well also! I know what I am making this week!

  18. kristy @ ksayerphoto says

    02/07/2012 at 2:00 am

    I love the sound of this pasta dish, I may have to make it for dinner tomorrow!
    The pistachios you use – are they raw or roasted?

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I'm Paula, the recipe developer, food stylist, food photographer, writer, editor, and chief dishwasher behind the blog. Read More

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