Elevate your pasta game with our Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Spinach recipe. This dish is a delightful blend of creamy ricotta cheese, zesty lemon, and tender spinach, all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. Imagine twirling your fork into a plateful of noodles coated in a velvety sauce that’s both bright and comforting. Each bite offers a burst of freshness and richness that’s sure to satisfy your cravings and leave you feeling satisfied. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy night in or entertaining guests, this dish is a simple yet elegant choice that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients:
1/2 lb (8oz/220 grams) pasta (spaghetti, linguine, penne, fusilli…)
1 cup (9oz/250 grams) whole-milk ricotta
8 oz (230 grams) fresh baby spinach, washed
1/3 cup (35 grams) grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra to serve
1 unwaxed lemon, zest and juice
3 lemon wedges, to serve (optional)
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
1 garlic clove, grated or pressed
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Directions:
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine ricotta, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon zest and juice. Season with 1/4 tsp of salt and a good pinch of pepper. Stir until well combined.
In the last minute of the pasta’s cooking time, reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then add spinach to the pot. Stir well and push the leaves down to submerge them in water.
After 1 minute, drain and return pasta and spinach to the same pot.
Add the ricotta sauce and part of the reserved cooking water. Stir well to evenly coat the pasta in the sauce, adding more cooking water as needed for a smooth and creamy texture.
Serve immediately, garnished with grated or shaved Parmesan cheese, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and lemon wedges if desired. For an extra kick, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes.