Description
This Lemon Spinach Pasta recipe is a creamy, zesty, and fresh dish that combines al dente rigatoni with a luscious lemon ricotta sauce and tender spinach. The combination of ricotta, parmesan, olive oil, and lemon zest creates a bright and flavorful pasta that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying vegetarian meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 12 ounces rigatoni (or other pasta)
- 10 ounces fresh spinach
Sauce
- 1½ cups ricotta (or dairy-free ricotta)
- 1 cup parmesan cheese (grated, or dairy-free cheese)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (or more to taste)
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg (grated)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook Pasta and Spinach: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the rigatoni and stir. Halfway through the pasta cooking time, add the fresh spinach to the pot. Continue cooking until the pasta is al dente and the spinach has wilted.
- Make the Lemon Ricotta Sauce: While the pasta cooks, combine the ricotta, grated parmesan, olive oil, lemon zest (only the yellow part), grated nutmeg, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl. Whisk well until the sauce is smooth and all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Toss the Pasta: When the pasta is al dente, reserve one cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and spinach, then add them to the bowl with the lemon ricotta sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water until creamy and smooth.
- Serve: Immediately plate the pasta and garnish with freshly ground black pepper and extra grated lemon zest as desired. Enjoy your fresh and creamy lemon spinach pasta!
Notes
- Only zest the yellow peel of the lemon; avoid the white pith which can be bitter.
- Use dairy-free alternatives for ricotta and parmesan to make the dish vegan-friendly.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency for a creamier texture.
- Spinach can be substituted with baby kale or Swiss chard for variation.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors at their peak.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: lemon pasta, spinach pasta, lemon ricotta sauce, vegetarian pasta, easy pasta recipe, creamy pasta, Italian pasta
