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Lemon Ricotta Pasta Recipe

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4.1 from 14 reviews

This bright and creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta is a quick and flavorful dish combining tender pasta with a luscious ricotta and lemon sauce, fresh spinach, and a hint of garlic and shallots. Perfect for a light yet satisfying meal ready in just 25 minutes.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 12 ounces pasta
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water

Sauce and Vegetables

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cups packed spinach leaves
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Garnish

  • Freshly chopped basil
  • Crushed red pepper flakes
  • Extra Parmesan cheese
  • Extra lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining the pasta. Pour the drained pasta back into the pot to keep warm.
  2. Sauté the Vegetables: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the spinach and minced shallot, cooking until the spinach is wilted. Then add the minced garlic and sauté for one minute until fragrant.
  3. Prepare the Sauce: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the ricotta cheese, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice into the skillet with the vegetables. Stir until the mixture becomes creamy and well combined. Add the reserved pasta water and stir again until the sauce is smooth. Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese, and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  4. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the skillet with the ricotta lemon sauce. Stir thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with freshly chopped basil, crushed red pepper flakes, extra Parmesan cheese, and an optional squeeze of lemon juice for added brightness.

Notes

  • Reserve some pasta water to help loosen and emulsify the ricotta sauce for a silky texture.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and proper melting.
  • Adjust lemon juice and zest amounts to taste for more or less tanginess.
  • Garnish with fresh basil and red pepper flakes to add layers of flavor and color.
  • Serve immediately for best texture; pasta with ricotta sauce does not hold well if left to sit.

Find it online: https://yumntasty.com/lemon-ricotta-pasta-recipe/