Lemon Ricotta Pasta Recipe with Spinach – Fresh and Creamy Pasta Dish
Easy Lemon Ricotta Pasta & Spinach combines creamy ricotta cheese, bright lemon, tender pasta, and fresh spinach in a light yet comforting dish that comes together quickly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
12 ounces spaghetti or linguine
1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves finely minced
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 cups fresh baby spinach
1/3 cup reserved pasta cooking liquid
Salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons chopped basil or parsley
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until tender with slight firmness. Reserve pasta cooking liquid before draining.
2. In a large bowl combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan, olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir until smooth.
3. Add hot drained pasta to the ricotta mixture.
4. Pour in a small amount of reserved pasta water and toss until the sauce becomes creamy.
5. Add fresh spinach and mix gently until the leaves soften.
6. Season with salt and black pepper.
7. Sprinkle chopped basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
Add small splashes of pasta water until the sauce reaches a silky texture. Whole-grain pasta or additional vegetables such as asparagus can be included for variation.