Description
Homemade lemon ricotta pasta with spinach combines zesty citrus and creamy cheese in a quick Mediterranean-inspired dish. Bright flavors and simple ingredients create a delightful meal you’ll savor from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (linguine, spaghetti, or penne)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 5 oz (140 g) baby spinach, fresh
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lemon, zest
- 2 tbsps lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- ¼ – ½ cup pasta water, reserved
- Red pepper flakes, optional
- Parmesan cheese, extra (for topping), optional
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a generously salted water bath to a vigorous boil, immerse pasta, and cook to al dente perfection. Carefully reserve 1/2 cup of starchy liquid before draining, ensuring optimal sauce consistency.
- Aromatic Foundation: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature. Introduce minced garlic, releasing its fragrant essence momentarily, then fold in fresh spinach leaves, coaxing them to wilt and transform into a verdant backdrop.
- Creamy Flavor Fusion: Blend ricotta cheese with Parmesan, zesty lemon zest, and citrus juice in a mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper, creating a luscious, tangy base that promises depth and complexity.
- Final Symphony: Cascade steaming pasta into the ricotta mixture, gently tossing to ensure comprehensive coating. Integrate sautéed spinach and incrementally introduce reserved pasta water, stirring until the sauce evolves into a velvety, luxurious embrace that lovingly coats each pasta strand with creamy sophistication.
Notes
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve the starchy pasta water carefully, as it’s crucial for creating a silky, smooth sauce that perfectly clings to the pasta, helping to thin and emulsify the ricotta mixture.
- Garlic Timing Matters: Sauté garlic briefly to release its aromatic flavors without burning, which can turn the garlic bitter and overpower the delicate lemon and ricotta notes.
- Spinach Wilting Technique: Add spinach gradually and cook just until it wilts to maintain its vibrant green color and prevent overcooking, preserving its fresh nutrients and tender texture.
- Cheese Mixing Pro Tip: Blend ricotta and Parmesan at room temperature for smoother integration, ensuring a creamy and even sauce that coats the pasta evenly without lumps.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg