Description
Creamy lemon ricotta pasta with fresh spinach, Parmesan, and bright citrus flavor. This quick Italian-style pasta is ready in about 15 minutes and perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
8 oz pasta (spaghetti, linguine, penne, or fusilli)
1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, grated
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lemon
8 oz fresh baby spinach
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional garnish: extra Parmesan, lemon wedges, olive oil drizzle, red pepper flakes
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente.
2. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
3. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, Parmesan, olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice until smooth.
4. Add spinach to the pasta during the last minute of cooking to wilt.
5. Drain pasta and spinach together.
6. Add pasta to the ricotta mixture and toss gently.
7. Add a little reserved pasta water to create a creamy sauce.
8. Season with salt and pepper, then serve with extra Parmesan and lemon zest.
Notes
Use whole-milk ricotta for the creamiest texture.
Fresh lemon juice and zest provide the best flavor.
Reserved pasta water helps create a silky sauce.
Add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or peas for extra protein.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 538
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 40mg