Description
A bright and creamy pasta dish that combines fresh spinach, rich ricotta, and zesty lemon for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 12 oz fettuccine or linguine
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 5 oz fresh spinach
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, then drain.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the spinach in handfuls, stirring until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in the ricotta, Parmesan, lemon zest, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix until well combined and creamy.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss to coat evenly, adding more water as needed for a silky sauce.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and lemon zest if desired.
Notes
You can customize the seasonings to taste. For extra protein, add grilled chicken or shrimp.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Method: Main
- Cuisine: Italian-American