Description
A delightful dish harmonizing ricotta, lemon, and spinach for a light yet satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ lb (220 g) pasta (spaghetti, linguine, penne, or fusilli)
- 1 cup (250 g) whole-milk ricotta
- 8 oz (230 g) baby spinach, washed
- ⅓ cup (35 g) grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Zest and juice of 1 unwaxed lemon
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 1 garlic clove, grated or pressed
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your choice of pasta and cook it according to package instructions until it reaches al dente—this will generally take about 8 to 12 minutes depending on the type of pasta chosen. Remember to reserve about ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining, as this will help create a creamy sauce later.
- While the pasta is cooking, grab a mixing bowl and combine the ricotta cheese, a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Season this mixture generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to ensure it is flavorful. Stir until all ingredients are well-blended into a smooth and creamy mixture.
- With about one minute left on the cooking time for your pasta, add the washed baby spinach directly to the pot. Stir gently as the spinach wilts—it should take mere seconds to become tender. Once wilted, drain the pasta and spinach mixture in a colander.
- Return the drained pasta and spinach to the pot. Now, add the ricotta mixture and a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together gently until the pasta is fully coated with the creamy mixture. If the pasta seems dry, you can add more reserved water a little at a time until the desired creaminess is achieved.
- To finish, serve your Zesty Lemon Ricotta and Spinach Pasta topped with extra grated Parmesan cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, and optional lemon wedges to squeeze over the top for an extra citrusy kick. Feel free to sprinkle a few red pepper flakes for a bit of heat if you desire.
Notes
To ensure a rich and creamy sauce, use high-quality whole-milk ricotta that has a smooth texture. All ingredients can be adjusted based on your taste preferences, so don’t hesitate to experiment and make this dish your own!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Protein: 15 g