Description
A bright and creamy pasta dish that combines the tang of fresh lemon with rich ricotta cheese and tender spinach. Quick to prepare and full of flavor, it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup pasta water (reserved)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the spinach. Pour the ricotta mixture over the pasta and toss to combine. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately with additional Parmesan if desired.
Notes
You can customize the seasonings to taste. For extra zing, add red pepper flakes or a sprinkle of fresh basil.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Method: Main
- Cuisine: American