Penne with Basil and Ricotta and Crispy Pine Nut To

Name: Penne with Basil and Ricotta and Crispy Pine Nut Topping
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups penne pasta; 1 Tbs. plus 1 tsp. olive oil, divided; 1 shallot, finely chopped (2 Tbs.); 1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.); 1 1/2 tsp. all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup low-fat milk; 1 1/2 cups low-fat ricotta cheese; 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided; 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil; 2 Tbs. pine nuts; 2 Tbs. panko breadcrumbs; 1/2 tsp. dried basil

Servings: persons

1 1/2 cups penne pasta
1 Tbs. plus 1 tsp. olive oil, divided
1 shallot, finely chopped (2 Tbs.)
1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)
1 1/2 tsp. all-purpose flour
3/4 cup low-fat milk
1 1/2 cups low-fat ricotta cheese
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2 Tbs. pine nuts
2 Tbs. panko breadcrumbs
1/2 tsp. dried basil

1
Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente.
2
Drain, then drizzle with 1 tsp.
3
oil.
4
Keep warm.
5
Preheat broiler.
6
Coat 6 1/2-cup ramekins with cooking spray, and place on baking sheet.
7
Heat 1 1/2 tsp.
8
oil in large saucepan over medium heat.
9
Add shallot, and saute 3 minutes.
10
Add garlic, and saute 1 minute, or until fragrant.
11
Stir in flour until paste forms.
12
Gradually whisk in milk.
13
Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until sauce thickens.
14
(If sauce becomes too thick, add a few spoonfuls of water.)
15
Whisk in ricotta, then gradually whisk in 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbs.
16
Parmesan cheese.
17
Remove sauce from heat.
18
Stir in fresh basil, and season with salt and white pepper, if desired.
19
Stir penne into sauce.
20
Spoon heaping 1/2 cup penne mixture into each prepared ramekin.
21
Combine remaining 2 Tbs.
22
Parmesan cheese, remaining 1 1/2 tsp.
23
oil, pine nuts, panko breadcrumbs, and dried basil in bowl.
24
Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
25
Sprinkle each ramekin with 1 Tbs.
26
pine nut mixture.
27
Broil ramekins 2 to 3 minutes, or until topping turns golden brown.

1366

kcal

Calories

Fat

117

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 12 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 1/2 cups penne pasta, 1 Tbs. plus 1 tsp. olive oil, divided, 1 shallot, finely chopped (2 Tbs.), 1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.), and more.

Yes, Penne with Basil and Ricotta and Crispy Pine Nut Topping falls under the Pasta & Noodles category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Penne with Basil and Ricotta and Crispy Pine Nut Topping

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions