Give Any Pasta A Creamier, Lasagna-Style Texture With This Classic Italian Mix-In

Making a lasagna from scratch isn't difficult, but there are a lot of steps and layers to it. If you crave that classic lasagna flavor but want a much easier way of enjoying it, just add some ricotta to your favorite marinara sauce. It will offer a similar texture and flavor with so much less work, and it's one of those ingredients that can easily upgrade pasta sauce. Ricotta has a lot of moisture, so you might want to strain it before using so it doesn't add too much liquid to the sauce.

How much ricotta you add depends on how much of an impact you want it to have on the sauce's texture. If you just want a touch of creaminess, add about a tablespoon per serving of pasta sauce (usually around a half cup). But for something richer and thicker, you can add around a quarter cup per serving. This ricotta trick can be used in all kinds of sauces. Since it has a mild flavor profile, it would work with something acidic like marinara, sharp like vodka sauce, or rich like Alfredo sauce.

On its own, ricotta doesn't have a ton of flavor; you're adding it more for the texture than anything else, though it does pack some extra salt, too. But it's easy to enhance the ricotta before combining it with the pasta and sauce. Start with fresh herbs, if you have them. Parsley and dill are bright, herby additions, and dried versions will work if you don't have the time to chop fresh ones.

Garlic powder is another great option here, and a drizzle of lemon juice plus a sprinkle of lemon zest will add bright acidity to the cheese. Then, when you add this into either a homemade or store-bought pasta sauce, it acts as a well-rounded flavor enhancer that does so much more than just make the dish creamier. For some spice, you can even add crushed red pepper or Calabrian chili oil, and if you want a hint of sweetness in any sauce you're preparing, don't be afraid to add a drizzle of honey to the ricotta, too.