Description
A quick and creamy lemon ricotta pasta with fresh spinach that comes together in just 10 minutes, perfect for a light and flavorful weeknight meal. The lemon zest and juice brighten the dish while the ricotta adds a velvety texture, complemented by parmesan cheese and garlic for a deliciously balanced pasta experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz spaghetti or linguine
Sauce
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Vegetables & Cheese
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the spaghetti or linguine. Cook until al dente according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Prepare the ricotta mixture: While the pasta cooks, in a large mixing bowl, combine the whole milk ricotta cheese, lemon zest, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Wilt the spinach: Right after draining the pasta, while it is still hot, add the fresh baby spinach to the pot or bowl with pasta to gently wilt it from the residual heat. This takes about 1-2 minutes.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the hot pasta and wilted spinach to the ricotta mixture. Gradually stir in the reserved pasta water a little at a time, stirring constantly until a silky, smooth sauce forms that coats the pasta evenly.
- Finish and serve: Serve the pasta immediately topped with the grated parmesan cheese, a fresh squeeze of lemon juice over the top, and extra black pepper if desired for added flavor and brightness.
Notes
- Reserve enough pasta water to help create a creamy sauce without adding cream or butter.
- You can substitute whole milk ricotta cheese with part-skim ricotta for a lighter version.
- Fresh lemon zest and juice are key to achieving a bright, fresh flavor in this pasta.
- For a nuttier flavor, consider adding toasted pine nuts as garnish.
- This recipe is best served immediately to enjoy the creamy texture and fresh flavors.
