This Ricotta Cheese Pasta is a delicious and easy dinner that can be ready in less than 30 minutes! The base of this pasta is a creamy ricotta cheese 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 a lot of 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 then this creamy pasta will definitely be a hit. And, 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 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 the ricotta mixture over and season with salt and pepper. Then add lemon juice and half of the lemon zest. Taste to adjust seasoning then 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.
- I recommend that you use good quality full-fat ricotta to make the sauce. Low fat just doesn't give you as creamy results.
- Use a glass measuring cup to save the pasta water, just be careful when you are ladling it out so that you don't burn yourself.
🧺 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 arugula instead for a delicious peppery green. 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.
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🥣 Equipment
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- Large pot or dutch oven
- Large skillet
- Mini food processor or blender
Ricotta Cheese Pasta
Ingredients
- ½ cup 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.
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