Creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta (Printable Version)
Smooth ricotta sauce with lemon, spinach, and crunchy toasted pine nuts atop tender pasta.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 -
12 oz dried pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or rigatoni)
02 -
1 tsp kosher salt (for pasta water)
→ Dairy
03 -
1½ cups whole-milk ricotta cheese
04 -
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional for serving)
→ Produce
05 -
Zest and juice of 1 large lemon (about 2 tbsp juice)
06 -
4 cups packed baby spinach
07 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Nuts & Oils
08 -
⅓ cup toasted pine nuts
09 -
3 tbsp olive oil (2 tbsp for cooking, 1 tbsp to finish)
→ Spices
10 -
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
11 -
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 -
Fill a large pot with water, add 1 tsp kosher salt, and bring to a rolling boil.
02 -
Place pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir constantly for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and fragrant. Transfer to a small bowl to halt cooking.
03 -
Add pasta to boiling water and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining. Drain and set pasta aside.
04 -
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 20 to 30 seconds until fragrant without browning. Add baby spinach and sauté 1 to 2 minutes until just wilted. Remove from heat.
05 -
In a medium bowl, whisk together ricotta, lemon zest, lemon juice, ¼ to ½ tsp salt to taste, and ½ tsp black pepper. Gradually whisk in 2 to 4 tbsp reserved hot pasta water until mixture is smooth and slightly pourable.
06 -
Add drained pasta to skillet with wilted spinach. Pour ricotta mixture over pasta and toss gently. Add additional reserved pasta water, 1 tbsp at a time, until sauce coats pasta evenly. Keep skillet off high heat to prevent curdling.
07 -
Stir in remaining 1 tbsp olive oil for shine if desired. Divide among plates, sprinkle with toasted pine nuts, and grate Parmesan over servings if using. Optionally, add extra lemon zest or freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency for a creamy texture without thinning the flavor.