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LEMON RICOTTA PASTA & SPINACH

Zesty Lemon Ricotta Pasta & Spinach in 15 Minutes!

Discover this quick Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Spinach—ready in 15 minutes and bursting with flavor.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 oz Pasta Any shape, preferably spaghetti or linguine.
For the Sauce
  • 1 cup Ricotta Cheese Whole-milk ricotta is best.
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese Grated; use nutritional yeast for dairy-free.
  • 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil Enhances smoothness of sauce.
For the Veggies
  • 4 cups Fresh Baby Spinach Can substitute with kale or arugula.
  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced; powdered garlic can be used in a pinch.
For Seasoning
  • 1 unit Lemon (juice and zest) Use unwaxed lemons for best zesting.
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Black Pepper
Optional Add-Ins
  • 1 cup Grilled Chicken or Shrimp For additional protein.
  • 1 cup Zucchini or Broccoli For extra nutrition.

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Mixing bowl
  • Colander

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve a cup of pasta water and drain.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, olive oil, Parmesan, minced garlic, lemon zest, and juice. Mix until creamy, season with salt and pepper.
  3. In the last minute of cooking pasta, add spinach to the pot and wilt. Drain pasta and spinach, reserving some cooking water.
  4. Return drained pasta and spinach to the pot, add the ricotta sauce and a splash of reserved water. Mix until evenly coated.
  5. Serve on plates topped with extra Parmesan, olive oil, and fresh lemon wedges.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 18gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 5gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 3000IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For best results, cook pasta al dente and avoid overcooking spinach. Reserve cooking water to adjust sauce consistency.

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