This Spinach Lemon Ricotta Pasta is sure to become your new favorite pasta dish. Creamy, tangy and effortlessly delicious, this pasta recipe embodies the essence of simplicity. With only a handful of fresh, vibrant ingredients, it transforms into a dish that’s truly remarkable. This dish is perfect for those busy weeknights when a creamy, comforting bowl of pasta is calling your name, but time is of the essence.
Why Make this Ricotta Pasta?
This Spinach Lemon Ricotta Pasta isn’t just your average pasta dish. It’s a celebration of seasonal flavors and simple, yet elegant ingredients. Here’s why you should give it a try:
- Flavorful Fusion: The combination of creamy ricotta, bright lemon and earthy spinach creates an incredible flavor profile that’s both refreshing, comforting and satisfying.
- Quick and Easy: With straightforward instructions, this quick and easy pasta recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you crave a homemade meal, without the fuss.
- Versatile: While this pasta shines on its own as a vegetarian main dish, it also pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, shrimp or salmon.
Ingredients
With a focus on simplicity, this quick pasta recipe utilizes basic ingredients:
- Linguine or Spaghetti: Easily substitute with your preferred pasta shape, or homemade pasta.
- Fresh Baby Spinach: Swap with kale or Swiss chard for a different flavor profile.
- White Wine: Replace with vegetable or chicken broth for a non-alcoholic option.
- Ricotta Cheese: Cottage cheese or mascarpone can be used as alternatives.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese: Pecorino Romano or Asiago cheese can be used for a sharper flavor.
- Lemon: Easily adjust the amount of lemon juice/zest to your liking.
- Crushed Red Pepper: For a little hint, add a pinch of crushed red pepper.
How to Make Spinach Lemon Ricotta Pasta
Enjoy this flavorful and creamy Spinach Lemon Ricotta Pasta in just a few simple steps:
- In a bowl, combine the ricotta, lemon juice, lemon zest, Parmesan, nutmeg and a pinch of salt.
- Start cooking the pasta.
- Sauté spinach with olive oil and white wine for just a minute until wilted.
- Add the ricotta mixture and pasta water to spinach. Mix vigorously.
- Transfer the al dente pasta directly from the pot. Reserve the pasta water to add to the sauce, as needed.
- Toss.
- Serve the ricotta pasta immediately, garnished with Parmesan, lemon zest and cracked black pepper.
How to Serve and Store Lemon Ricotta Pasta
This Spinach Lemon Ricotta Pasta is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed on its own as a satisfying main course, or served alongside your favorite protein, for a more substantial meal. Easily pair this creamy pasta with a crisp green salad and crusty bread for a complete meal.
Storing Leftovers:
- Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Reheat, gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent it from drying out.
More Easy Ricotta Pasta Recipes to Love
- Sausage and Ricotta Cappellacci
- Egg Yolk Ravioli with Brown Butter
- Homemade Ricotta Gnocchi
- Lasagna Rollups
- Honeycomb Pasta Cake
- Zucchini Rollatini
Spinach Lemon Ricotta Pasta
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Spinach Lemon Ricotta Pasta is sure to become your new favorite pasta dish. Creamy, tangy and effortlessly delicious, this pasta recipe embodies the essence of simplicity.
Ingredients
- 12-ounces linguine or spaghetti
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
- 8-ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest, plus more for garnish
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
- Cracked black pepper, for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1/8 teaspoon salt, lemon juice, lemon zest and Parmesan cheese. Set aside.
- Begin by boiling the pasta according to package instructions, until al dente. Don’t forget to salt the water for the pasta.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the fresh spinach and white wine, then season with salt. Cover with a lid and allow the spinach to steam and just wilt for about a minute.
- Add the prepared ricotta mixture to the skillet, along with a ladle of the pasta water. Stir vigorously to combine.
- Once al dente, transfer the pasta directly from the pot, into the sauce.
- Toss well to coat the pasta, adding more pasta water as needed to achieve a creamy consistency.
- Plate the Spinach Lemon Ricotta Pasta. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese, lemon zest and cracked black pepper.
- Serve immediately.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Use your favorite pasta shape, or make homemade pasta.
- If using homemade pasta, plan accordingly as homemade pasta boils much quicker than dried pasta.
- Timing is key to this recipe.
- Steam the spinach for only a minute.
- Try to avoid draining the pasta, if possible. Transfer directly from the pot.
- Use reserved pasta water as needed to develop a creamy sauce (you may use up to 3 to 4 ladles).
- Cook the pasta just to al dente. The pasta will finish cooking in the sauce.
- Stir vigorously as you combine the ricotta mixture into the sautéed spinach.
- Add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper for heat.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American
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GET TO KNOW ME!
WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!
Our life has changed dramatically in the past few years with the passing of our two goldendoodles, Vegas and Viva. We were lucky enough to have Vegas for five years (totally wish it was longer). Most recently, losing our Viva to a brain tumor in July of 2020. We welcomed our mini goldendoodle 7, almost seven years ago. We just added the amazing Hazel! Of course, I am always posting tons and tons of photos! Be sure to check out my recipe for Pet Bone Broth! This broth is super rich in nutrients and will provide your pet with a multitude of health benefits!
In addition, I’m so very excited to announce I have published my first e-book and paperback, “Mastering Thanksgiving – A Guide to Perfecting Your Thanksgiving Dinner.” Your support would mean the world to me.
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[…] you love the combination of spinach and cream. Check out my recipe for Spinach Ricotta Pasta. This pasta recipe has been shared and viewed so many times on my Pinterest page. You may also […]