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Creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Spinach

Creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Spinach - Tasty
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A quick and bright pasta dish featuring a creamy sauce made from ricotta cheese, fresh lemon zest and juice, and wilted spinach.

Ingredients

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  • 12 oz pasta (e.g., linguine or spaghetti)
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 5 oz fresh spinach
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce base. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  4. Add the fresh spinach to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the spinach wilts completely, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat.
  5. Add the cooked pasta, the ricotta mixture, and 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to the skillet with the spinach and garlic.
  6. Toss everything together quickly until the sauce is creamy and coats the pasta evenly. Add more pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, if the sauce seems too thick.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.
  8. Serve immediately topped with extra grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • For a richer sauce, use heavy cream instead of some of the reserved pasta water.
  • You can substitute kale or arugula for the spinach, adjusting cooking time as needed.
  • If you do not have fresh lemon, use 2 teaspoons of bottled lemon juice, but fresh is recommended for the best flavor.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastytribune.com/creamy-lemon-ricotta-pasta-with-spinach/