Description
This Easy Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Spinach is a quick and creamy pasta dish with bright lemon flavors, fresh spinach, and a luscious ricotta sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, it combines simple ingredients for a delicious and comforting meal perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (such as spaghetti or penne)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced (optional), for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Be sure to reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining to help loosen the sauce later.
- Prepare Ricotta Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with the lemon zest and lemon juice. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well combined.
- Sauté Spinach and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant but not browned. Then add the fresh spinach leaves and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until wilted.
- Combine Pasta and Spinach: Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the sautéed spinach and garlic. Gently toss everything together to combine.
- Add Ricotta Mixture: Add the prepared ricotta mixture to the skillet. Toss again until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy ricotta sauce. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta cooking water a little at a time to reach your desired consistency.
- Season and Serve: Season the pasta with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and optional fresh basil leaves for garnish.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- Use fresh lemon for the best bright flavor.
- You can substitute baby spinach if regular spinach is unavailable.
- Parmesan cheese can be omitted or replaced with a vegan alternative for dietary preferences.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
