Gluten Free Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Caramelized Shallots

Are you ready to make an easy gluten free dinner that will have your family asking for seconds? This yummy pasta recipe is just the thing to make!! If you love to cook gluten-free pasta recipes, try this creamy Gluten-Free Cajun Chicken Pasta or this homemade Gluten-Free Hamburger Helper.

Things to Love About This Gluten-Free Ricotta Lemon Pasta Recipe:

• Easy to Customize – Swap out your favorite gluten-free pasta shape, including gf spaghetti, penne, shells, tortellini, fettuccine, and fusilli. Which is your favorite pasta shape?
• Creamy & Fresh Flavors – The combination of rich ricotta, zesty lemon, and caramelized shallots creates a perfect balance of flavor!
• Quick & Easy – This dish comes together in 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy school weeknights or an effortless gourmet meal.
• I Use Simple Ingredients – I created this recipe with just a handful of simple ingredients, yet it tastes like something from a fancy restaurant.
• Change It Up – Want to switch it up with flavor or added proteins? Add grilled chicken, shrimp, scallops, fresh basil, or sautéed spinach for even more flavor.

I have so many delicious gluten-free dinner recipes to choose from, including lots of gluten-free 30 minute meal recipes!

Allergen Information:

I know many of my readers have a lot of other food allergens they need to avoid. Here is a list of allergens you will NOT find in my simple gluten free pasta recipe.

This homemade lemon ricotta pasta is gluten-free, egg-free, soy-free, oat-free, and nut-free (if you omit the pine nuts.)

Easy Ingredient Swaps:

Sometimes, you don’t have the specific ingredients you may want to make a recipe, or you want to change out an ingredient to accommodate another allergen you must avoid. These easy ingredient swaps will help you customize this recipe:

• Make it dairy-free using plant-based ricotta and parmesan. I like using VioLife plant-based cheeses for this.
• If you don’t have shallots, swap leeks or a sweet yellow onion and cut them thinly.
• Swap fresh garlic cloves for jarred minced garlic or frozen garlic cubes. You can also use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of garlic powder in a pinch.

Ingredient Notes:

For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.

• Gluten Free Pasta – I used Tinkyada gluten free penne pasta to make this recipe. I also love Jovial gluten free pasta because it comes in so many fun shapes.
• Ricotta Cheese – I recommend using full-fat ricotta cheese because it is creamier than low-fat ricotta.
• Heavy Cream – This boosts the creaminess of the sauce.
• Shallots – Shallots come in all different sizes of bulbs. Ensure your shallots are fresh and not dried out inside the brown covering. The inside should look bright purple on the outside.
• Garlic Cloves – You can use fresh garlic, which is the best. If you don’t have any, it is okay to use jarred or frozen garlic cubes.
• Parmesan Cheese – Use grated parmesan because it melts easier in the hot ricotta cheese than in big shreds.
• Pine Nuts – These are optional, so if you have a nut allergy, just omit these. They do add nice texture and flavor to the pasta.
• Fresh Lemon and Zest – For this recipe, fresh is absolutely best and needed because you will need lemon zest as well.

How To Make Gluten Free Cajun Chicken Pasta:

These are my step-by-step photos and directions from when I made and tested this recipe to show you every step of making this delicious recipe.

Step 1: Cook the Gluten-Free Pasta. Every gluten free pasta brand has slightly different cooking times. This is often due to the main ingredient(s) of pasta. Follow your box directions, but boil and cook your pasta for one minute less than the directions.

Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and give it a quick rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside. This will help to prevent it from getting mushy. See the Tips For Success section above for more ways to avoid mushy pasta.

Step 2: Caramelize the Shallots. Peel the outer skin off the shallots, separate the bulbs, and rinse them. Place the shallots on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to slice the shallots thinly.

Add the cooking oil and shallots to a small pan and cook them on low. Slowly caramelize them, stirring occasionally, until they turn golden brown and soft (about 10-15 minutes). Remove them from the pan and put them into a bowl.

Step 3: Prepare the Cream Sauce. Heat a skillet with olive oil on medium heat. Add the ricotta cheese, parmesan, minced garlic cloves, and the heavy cream. Stir frequently until you see bubbles. Toss in some chopped fresh parsley or basil for added flavor.

Step 4: Turn the stove heat to low. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Stir these ingredients in and simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 5: Grab the pan you carmelized the shallots in. Toast the pine nuts on medium-low heat, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes until they are lightly golden and fragrant. Remove them from the pan to a bowl.

Step 6: Drain the cooked pasta in a colander and give it a quick cold water rinse. Add the drained cooked pasta to the sauce. Mix so the ricotta cheese sauce coats the pasta.

Step 7: Garnish with the toasted pine nuts and chopped fresh basil or parsley. Serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh parmesan cheese.

You can also make a casserole like this recipe similar to my Gluten Free Ziti Casserole recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions:

If you have questions, I have answers!! If you have a question that you do not see here or not answered in the post, please drop me a comment, and I will respond to your question quickly!

More Gluten Free Pasta Recipes:

If you love pasta, I have so many incredible, family-friendly recipes made with gluten-free pasta for you to try. These are all well-tested recipes that even your picky eaters will love!

• Gluten-Free Taco Pasta
• Easy Gluten-Free Fettuccine Alfredo
• One Pot Gluten-Free Italian Pasta
• Homemade Gluten-Free Ravioli