Description
This Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Spinach and Toasted Pine Nuts is a creamy, fresh, and easy pasta dish made with whole milk ricotta, lemon, baby spinach, and toasted pine nuts. A vibrant, satisfying vegetarian recipe perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining.
Ingredients
8 oz pasta
1 cup whole milk ricotta
1 lemon, zested and juiced
4 cups fresh baby spinach
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
¼ cup toasted pine nuts
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted. Turn off heat.
3. In a bowl, combine ricotta, lemon zest, lemon juice, and Parmesan. Stir in a few tablespoons of hot pasta water to loosen.
4. Add cooked pasta to the skillet. Pour in ricotta mixture and toss everything to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed.
5. Top with toasted pine nuts, more Parmesan, salt, and black pepper. Serve warm.
Notes
Use whole milk ricotta for best creaminess.
Reserve pasta water—it’s key for creating a silky sauce.
Toast pine nuts in a dry pan for 3–5 minutes until golden.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 30mg