Description
Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Spinach is a bright, creamy, and healthy meal that comes together in under 30 minutes. Featuring tender pasta tossed with creamy ricotta, fresh spinach, zesty lemon, and garlic, this dish offers vibrant flavors and comforting textures perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cheese
- 8 oz spaghetti, linguine, or penne pasta
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
Vegetables and Flavorings
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for finishing drizzle
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water to help loosen the sauce later. Drain the pasta thoroughly.
- Sauté Garlic and Spinach: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add fresh spinach and cook just until wilted but still bright green, preserving its fresh flavor and texture.
- Prepare the Ricotta Sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low and add ricotta cheese to the skillet with the garlic and spinach. Stir gently to combine, then mix in lemon zest and lemon juice to impart a bright and tangy flavor to the sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked, drained pasta directly into the skillet with the ricotta and spinach sauce. Slowly pour in reserved pasta water a little at a time, stirring to achieve a creamy, silky sauce that clings to the noodles beautifully.
- Season and Serve: Season the pasta generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Finish by sprinkling with grated Parmesan cheese and drizzling a little more olive oil on top for added richness. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency and help it cling better to noodles.
- Use fresh lemon, spinach, and garlic for the best flavor and vibrant color.
- Do not overcook spinach; it should be wilted but still bright green.
- Warm ricotta to room temperature or gently warm it for better blending into the sauce.
- Adjust acidity by adding more lemon juice if a zestier flavor is preferred.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg