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Zesty Lemon Ricotta and Spinach Pasta

A quick and delicious pasta dish featuring creamy ricotta, zesty lemon, and fresh spinach, perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta Ingredients
  • 8 oz pasta (spaghetti or your favorite shape)
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 large cup fresh spinach can use frozen if necessary
  • 1 lemon the zesty hero of this dish!
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • A drizzle of olive oil

Method
 

Cooking
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
  2. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  3. Add the fresh spinach and stir until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about a cup of pasta water, then drain the rest. Add the pasta to the skillet along with the ricotta cheese and squeeze in the lemon juice. Mix together, adding reserved pasta water if it looks too thick.
  5. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Notes

When zesting the lemon, only take the yellow part to avoid bitterness. You can add sun-dried tomatoes or arugula for extra flavor. If the pasta clumps together, splash in some reserved pasta water.