Description
This Lemon Spinach Pasta recipe combines al dente rigatoni with fresh spinach and a creamy ricotta sauce infused with zesty lemon and a hint of nutmeg. Finished with Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil, it’s a refreshing and comforting pasta dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a light lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 12 ounces rigatoni (or other pasta)
- 10 ounces fresh spinach
- 1 teaspoon salt (for boiling water)
Sauce
- 1½ cups ricotta cheese (or dairy-free ricotta)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or dairy-free cheese)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (more to taste)
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook Pasta and Spinach: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni once the water is boiling again. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add Spinach: Halfway through the pasta’s cooking time, add the fresh spinach to the boiling pasta water. Continue cooking until the pasta is al dente and the spinach is wilted.
- Make the Lemon Ricotta Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, extra virgin olive oil, lemon zest, freshly grated nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Whisk the mixture thoroughly until smooth and well combined.
- Toss the Pasta: Once pasta and spinach are cooked, reserve one cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Add the drained pasta and spinach to the bowl with the ricotta sauce.
- Combine and Adjust: Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water to achieve desired creaminess.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated lemon zest and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper for an added burst of flavor.
Notes
- Use only the yellow peel for lemon zest; avoid the white pith which is bitter.
- Substitute dairy-free ricotta and Parmesan to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency to your liking.
- For a stronger lemon flavor, increase the lemon zest to taste.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Lemon Spinach Pasta, Creamy Ricotta Pasta, Vegetarian Pasta Recipe, Quick Pasta Dinner, Lemon Zest Pasta
