Description
Creamy lemon ricotta pasta with spinach brings Italian elegance to weeknight dining. Quick and luxurious, this dish delivers zesty freshness and silky texture that will make you crave another delightful forkful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- ½ lb (8 ounces/220 grams) pasta (spaghetti, linguine, penne, fusilli, or your choice)
- 1 cup (9 ounces/250 grams) whole-milk ricotta
- 8 ounces (230 grams) fresh baby spinach, washed
- ⅓ cup (35 grams) grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra to serve
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 unwaxed lemon, zest and juice
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
- 1 garlic clove, grated or pressed
Seasonings:
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Garnish:
- 3 lemon wedges, to serve
Instructions
- Fill a spacious pot with water, generously salt it, and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge pasta and cook until perfectly tender, maintaining a slight firmness at the core.
- While pasta simmers, craft the creamy ricotta mixture by whisking together smooth ricotta, fragrant olive oil, aged Parmesan, minced garlic, bright lemon zest, and tangy lemon juice. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper, blending until silky and well-incorporated.
- During the pasta’s final cooking moment, carefully extract a half cup of starchy cooking liquid. Gently introduce fresh spinach leaves into the boiling water, allowing them to wilt and soften for approximately one minute.
- Drain the pasta and vibrant spinach in a colander, then transfer back to the warm cooking pot. Pour the luxurious ricotta sauce over the pasta, using reserved cooking liquid to create a smooth, glossy coating. Toss thoroughly to ensure each pasta strand is lavishly dressed.
- Transfer to serving plates, creating elegant swirls of the herb-flecked pasta. Embellish with additional Parmesan shavings, a delicate drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and optional lemon wedges for a citrusy burst of freshness.
Notes
- Whip up this quick and zesty pasta dish that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal in just 20 minutes.
- Creamy ricotta blends with bright lemon and earthy spinach, creating a silky sauce that clings perfectly to every pasta strand.
- Fresh ingredients make all the difference, so choose ripe lemons, quality ricotta, and crisp spinach for maximum flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg