Description
This Easy Lemon Ricotta Pasta & Spinach recipe is a creamy and flavorful vegetarian pasta dish that’s quick and simple to make. With the bright flavors of lemon and the richness of ricotta cheese, this pasta is sure to become a favorite in your dinner rotation.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta (such as linguine, spaghetti, or penne)
Ricotta Mixture:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 lemon (zest and juice)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Spinach:
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish:
- Reserved pasta water (as needed)
- Extra Parmesan and lemon zest for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Sauté Spinach: Heat olive oil in a skillet, sauté garlic and red pepper flakes, add spinach and cook until wilted.
- Prepare Ricotta Mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
- Combine: Add cooked pasta and spinach to the ricotta mixture. Toss, adding pasta water until creamy.
- Serve: Adjust seasoning if needed, then serve topped with Parmesan and lemon zest.
Notes
- Use whole-milk ricotta for the creamiest texture.
- This dish can be served warm or at room temperature.
- Add grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
