Ricotta Cheese Pasta

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.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Favorite things about this recipe
• 📝 Ingredients you'll need
• 🥣 Before you begin: essential tools
• 🥄 Step by step: instructions
• 👩‍🍳 Variations to make it your own
• 👍 Let's make the perfect recipe: Amira's tips
• 🧺 How to store leftovers
• ⌛ Make Ahead
• 🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with
• 💬 FAQs
• 📣 Related Recipes
• Creamy Pasta Recipes
• Ricotta Cheese Pasta

❤️ Favorite things about this recipe

• 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 you'll need

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.

🥣 Before you begin: essential tools

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• Large pot or dutch oven
• Large skillet
• Mini food processor or blender

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🥄 Step by step: instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.

1. Cook pasta in salted water al dente according to package directions reserving a cup of the starchy pasta water on the side.
2. In a mini food processor, add ½ cup of reserved pasta water and ricotta cheese and process until well combined.
3. In a large skillet, saute garlic in olive oil on medium heat for 30 seconds. Add fresh spinach and continue cooking until spinach wilts.
4. 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.

👩‍🍳 Variations to make it your own

• 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.

👍 Let's make the perfect recipe: 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.

🧺 How to store leftovers

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.

🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to 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.
• These Cheese Stuffed Breadsticks are great with pasta recipes as well.
• For an easy cheesy and crunchy side try these Cheese Bites, they are a wonderful choice with fewer carbs.
• You could also serve it with a simple green side salad or maybe this oregano chicken.
• For a refreshing, easy sip, Whipped Lemonade, Virgin Pina Colada or Virgin Margarita are great choices.

💬 FAQs

📣 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
• Olive Garden Chicken Scampi is made just as creamy and delicious without the wine. Tender chicken in a creamy sauce topped with lightly sauteed vegetables, a 30-minute meal you'll want to make every day.

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.
• Broccoli Pasta is a vibrant, bright side dish to lighten up any meal. Crunchy broccoli and tender pasta all in a creamy lemony sauce.

If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! Thank you.

There are so many different creative variations you can use to make this easy ricotta pasta your own. If you add your touch to this simple dinner, I'd love for you to leave me a comment and share what you did; maybe it can inspire someone else!