Description
Creamy lemon ricotta pasta with spinach delivers a Mediterranean-inspired symphony of fresh flavors that dance across classic Italian comfort. Light, zesty notes blend perfectly with rich cheese and tender greens, inviting you to savor each delightful forkful of pure culinary harmony.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cheese:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (linguine, spaghetti, or penne)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh Produce:
- 5 ounces (140 grams) fresh baby spinach (about 5 cups)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
Seasonings and Oils:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- ¼ – ½ cup reserved pasta water
- Optional: red pepper flakes
- Optional: extra Parmesan for topping
Instructions
- Fill a spacious pot with water, sprinkle generously with salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge pasta and cook until it reaches perfect al dente texture, carefully preserving 1/2 cup of starchy liquid before draining.
- Warm olive oil in a expansive skillet over medium flame. Introduce minced garlic, allowing it to release its aromatic essence for mere moments. Gently fold in fresh spinach leaves, encouraging them to wilt and soften into a vibrant green landscape.
- In a generous mixing vessel, harmonize ricotta cheese with finely grated Parmesan, zesty lemon essence, and bright citrus juice. Season the mixture with delicate pinches of salt and freshly cracked pepper, creating a luxurious base.
- Transfer steaming pasta directly into the ricotta blend, gently tumbling the ingredients to ensure comprehensive coating. Incorporate the sautéed spinach and introduce reserved pasta water, incrementally stirring until the sauce transforms into a silky, luxurious cloak that embraces each pasta strand with creamy elegance.
Notes
- Swap pasta types to make the dish gluten-free by using alternative noodles like chickpea, zucchini, or rice pasta for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Enhance protein content by adding grilled chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or crispy tofu cubes for a heartier meal.
- Control sauce consistency by gradually adding reserved pasta water, ensuring a silky smooth texture that perfectly coats each pasta strand without becoming too runny.
- Boost nutritional value by incorporating additional leafy greens like kale or arugula, which provide extra vitamins and a peppery flavor complexity to the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 290 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg