5.0 from 15 votes
Lemon Ricotta Pasta Recipe
Creamy and delicious Lemon Ricotta Pasta that you can make in 20 minutes! This is an easy vegetarian pasta dish that you can serve as a side dish with meat dishes or by itself for a satisfying meal.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 196 kcal
Cuisine:
Italian-American Fussion
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta (bucatini, rigatoni, spaghetti, or penne would all work)
- 2 cups baby spinach leaves (16 oz) rinsed
- 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese more as garnish
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- ¼ cup lemon juice freshly squeezed
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes optional
- Drizzle of olive oil optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add in the pasta of your choice and cook until al dente.
- At the very last minute, right before draining the pasta, add in the spinach and cook for 30-45 seconds. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water and drain the pasta.
- Put the now-cooked pasta back in the pan.
- Meanwhile, make the ricotta lemon pasta sauce by mixing ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt and pepper in a bowl.
- Add in the ½ cup of reserved pasta sauce and whisk until creamy.
- Add the lemon ricotta sauce to the pasta and give it a gentle toss. It should be very creamy as you toss it with the help of the residual heat coming from the freshly cooked pasta. If you need it, add in the rest of the reserved pasta liquid and turn the heat on for a minute or so as you toss and turn the pasta.
- Taste for seasoning and add in if necessary. Garnish with a sprinkle of shredded parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil and red pepper flakes, if using. Serve.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It should stay fresh for up to two days.
- little bit of water to the mixture over medium heat. Be sure to toss to ensure even cooking and add water as necessary.
- : I don’t recommend freezing this dish, as the extreme cold will ruin the texture of your pasta.
- The serving size is approximately about 2 cups per person. If you are serving it as a main course it would feed 4 people but if you are serving as a side dish it would be good for 6 servings.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It should stay fresh for up to two days.
- Reheat with a little bit of water to the mixture over medium heat. Be sure to toss to ensure even cooking and add water as necessary.
- Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing this dish, as the extreme cold will ruin the texture of your pasta.
Nutrition Information
Calories
196kcal
(10%)
Carbohydrates
12g
(4%)
Protein
13g
(26%)
Fat
12g
(18%)
Saturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
3g
Cholesterol
42mg
(14%)
Sodium
1111mg
(46%)
Potassium
531mg
(15%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
2282IU
(46%)
Vitamin C
20mg
(22%)
Calcium
274mg
(27%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 196
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 196kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 12g | 4% |
| Protein | 13g | 26% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 42mg | 14% |
| Sodium | 1111mg | 46% |
| Potassium | 531mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 2282IU | 46% |
| Vitamin C | 20mg | 22% |
| Calcium | 274mg | 27% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.