Step 1

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add pasta. When pasta is about 3 to 4 minutes shy of al dente, add broccoli florets. Continue cooking until pasta is al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking liquid before draining pasta and broccoli.Add drained pasta and broccoli back to pot and place back on burner with heat turned OFF.

Step 2

Add ricotta, Parmesan, lemon zest and juice, chili flakes, salt, pepper, and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta cooking liquid. Stir well until the sauce comes together and clings to the noodles. Stir in additional pasta cooking liquid as needed to reach desired level of creaminess (I always use the full 1 cup). If adding cooked chicken or shrimp, stir in now.

Step 3

Divide pasta into 6 bowls and garnish with extra cracked black pepper and Parmesan, if desired.