4.6 from 279 votes
Lemon Ricotta Pasta
Lemon Ricotta Pasta combines cooked pasta with a creamy ricotta sauce flavored by fresh lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, and sautéed spinach and shallots. Parmesan cheese and black pepper enrich the sauce, while fresh basil and red pepper flakes garnish the dish. The result is a bright, creamy pasta with a balance of tangy, savory, and slightly spicy notes, suitable as a light main or side.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings:
6
Calories:
348 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 12 ounces pasta
- 1/2 cup water reserved pasta water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cups spinach packed leaves
- 1 onion minced, or shallot
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- lemon zest of 1
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice fresh
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- salt Kosher salt and freshly ground
- black pepper Kosher salt and freshly ground
- basil garnish, freshly chopped basil
- crushed red pepper flakes
- Parmesan Cheese
- lemon juice
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water and drain the pasta. Pour the pasta back into the pot.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the spinach and shallot and cook until spinach is wilted. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the ricotta cheese. Add the lemon zest and lemon juice and stir until creamy. Add the reserved pasta water and stir again until well combined. Stir in the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Add in the pasta and stir well until pasta is well coated in the ricotta sauce. Garnish with basil, crushed red pepper flakes, and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired. You can also add an extra squeeze of lemon juice if you want a stronger lemon flavor. Serve immediately.
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Nutrition Information
Calories
348kcal
(17%)
Carbohydrates
47g
(16%)
Protein
15g
(30%)
Fat
11g
(17%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Cholesterol
28mg
(9%)
Sodium
196mg
(8%)
Potassium
298mg
(6%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
1662IU
(33%)
Vitamin C
8mg
(9%)
Calcium
191mg
(19%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 348
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 348kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 47g | 16% |
| Protein | 15g | 30% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 28mg | 9% |
| Sodium | 196mg | 8% |
| Potassium | 298mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 1662IU | 33% |
| Vitamin C | 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 191mg | 19% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.