This Ricotta Cheese Pasta is a delicious and easy dinner that is ready in less than 30 minutes! The base of this pasta is a creamy lemon ricotta sauce that is lightened up with a handful of spinach, and filled with garlic flavor. The perfect meal with minimal effort.
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❤️ Why You'll Love It
- This easy Ricotta Cheese Pasta is a great weeknight dinner because it doesn't require much effort.
- It's rich and creamy, comforting and filling, yet still light enough that you won't feel weighed down after eating it.
- Plus, with just a few simple ingredients, it's ready to go in no time!
If your family loves easy and cheesy pasta recipes, this creamy lemon ricotta pasta will definitely be a hit. Even the picky eaters in your house will love it.
📝 Ingredients
Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
🥄 Instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Cook pasta in salted water al dente according to package directions reserving a cup of the starchy pasta water on the side.
- In a mini food processor, add ½ cup of reserved pasta water and ricotta cheese and process until well combined.
- In a large skillet, saute garlic in olive oil on medium heat for 30 seconds. Add fresh spinach and continue cooking until spinach wilts.
- Pour the ricotta mixture over and season with salt and pepper. Then add lemon juice and half of the lemon zest. Taste to adjust seasoning and cook sauce for a couple of minutes. Stir in cooked pasta. Serve in a bowl garnished with lemon zest and parmesan cheese.
👍 Amira's Tips
- Using a mini food processor or a blender will make it easier to make the ricotta sauce lump-free. An immersion blender could also work.
- For best results, I recommend that you use good quality full-fat ricotta to make the sauce. Low fat just doesn't give you as creamy ricotta sauce.
- Use a glass measuring cup to save the starchy water, just be careful when you are ladling it out so that you don't burn yourself.
🥣 Equipment
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- Large pot or dutch oven
- Large skillet
- Mini food processor or blender
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🧺 Storage
Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
⌛ Make Ahead
For the best taste, I don't recommend making this creamy pasta ahead of time. You can pre-cook the pasta and store it in the fridge until you are ready to cook the sauce and enjoy this pasta.
🍽️ Serve With
If you ask my family you can't have pasta without a side dish of garlic bread. And, this Air Fryer Garlic Bread is my go-to side dish to serve with pasta. You could also serve it with a simple green side salad or maybe this oregano chicken.
👩🍳 Variations
- Feel free to swap out the spinach for fresh herbs or arugula instead for a delicious peppery green. Fresh basil is also a good substitute but maybe use a ⅓ cup. Or, if you are not a fan of greens, you can leave it out altogether.
- You can also use broccoli florets, green peas, or even asparagus tips.
- For a nice pop of flavor, stir in a couple of tablespoons of pesto in the sauce.
- You could also add some sun dried tomatoes to the sauce for beautiful color.
- Make it richer by using butter to saute your garlic and a splash of heavy cream to the sauce.
💬 FAQs
The best way to reheat ricotta cheese past is in a skillet or saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring often until warmed through. You could also microwave single servings in a microwave-safe bowl for about 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
No, due to the dairy in this recipe, I don't recommend that you freeze the leftovers. But, don't worry this dish is so good that you most likely won't have any leftovers at all.
Any type of pasta will work. I like to use either spaghetti noodles or any small type of pasta like penne or rotini.
📣 Related Recipes
- If you love cheesy pasta recipes then next time give this Baked Feta Pasta recipe a try. It's perfectly creamy and always a hit with the entire family.
- This Shrimp Scampi Without Wine is the perfect recipe to make when you are craving something light yet short on time.
- Alfredo sauce is a classic Italian sauce made with butter and Parmesan cheese. However, for those who are looking for a healthier version, this recipe will show you how to make a creamy and delicious Alfredo sauce without cream
Creamy Pasta Recipes
- You'll love this Panera chicken tortellini Alfredo dinner. Quick and easy and even better Panera's one!
- This Creamy Pasta Bake is full of ground beef, pasta, and creamy bachamel sauce. It's great when made ahead and perfect for busy nights.
- Cream Cheese Pasta is a another creamy pasta dish that is rich yet so simple to make. You only need 15 minutes and a handful of pantry ingredients.
- Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a simple all-one meal that takes less than an hour to make, so it's perfect for busy days.
- Gouda Mac and Cheese is a delicious extra creamy twist to the classic mac and cheese recipe. A velvety comfort food recipe with a distinct smoky flavor that is sure to satisfy.
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! Thank you.
Ricotta Cheese Pasta
Ingredients
- ½ pound dry pasta
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large garlic cloves
- 8 oz baby spinach leaves
- 1 cup pasta cooking water
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- Juice and zest of one lemon
- ½ teaspoon Salt and pepper to taste or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water al dente according to package directions reserving 1 cup of pasta water on the side.
- In a mini food processor add ½ cup of pasta water and ricotta cheese and process until well combined.
- In a large skillet saute garlic in olive oil on medium for 30 seconds.
- Add spinach leaves and continue cooking until spinach wilts.
- Pour ricotta mixture over and season with salt and pepper.
- Add lemon juice and half of the lemon zest.
- Taste to adjust seasoning then stir in cooked pasta.
- Serve in bowl garnished with lemon zest and parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Use whole milk ricotta for this recipe.
- Check the post for notes and variations.
- Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.
Dorothy
Is the pasta supposed to be 1/2 cup or 1/2 lb?
1/2 cup doesn’t seem to be much for 6 servings.
Amira
Sure 1/2 pound, thanks for spotting that Dorothy.