Description
A light and fresh pasta dish with creamy ricotta, bright lemon, and tender spinach, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (such as penne or fettuccine)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 5 oz fresh spinach
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in ricotta cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix until creamy.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss gently to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until desired consistency.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Notes
You can customize the seasonings to taste. For extra zest, add red pepper flakes for a hint of heat or top with fresh basil.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Method: Main
- Cuisine: Italian