The Creamiest Lemon Ricotta Pasta Recipe (4 Ingredients, 15 Minutes) by Donna John

Lemon and pasta are a match made in pasta heaven. Add ricotta cheese and healthy baby spinach (read about the health benefits of spinach) to the mix, and you've got a winning vegetarian dinner or side dish to go with your favorite protein. This easy creamy lemon ricotta pasta recipe has just four ingredients and is on the table in under 20 minutes.

This creamy lemon pasta recipe is so simple to make. You only need four ingredients! Here is your short shopping list: pasta, ricotta cheese, a lemon for juicing and zesting and fresh baby spinach. The only cooking required in the pasta. After it's cooked to al dente, the remaining ingredients are stirred in along with some reserved pasta water. So simple!

Serve this refreshing Italian-inspired pasta as a main meatless dinner or serve it on the side dish with chicken, seafood, beef, lamb or pork.

Cuisine: American / Italian
Prep Time:  5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 16 ounces pasta
• 16 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1 lemon, juiced and zested
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach

Recipe Notes

• You can use any type of pasta you like. I used spaghetti noodles.

• Use a fine grater or microplane to grate the zest from the lemon.
  

• For some spice, add some crushed red pepper flakes.

• Love spinach? Add more to the recipe. Just stir after each addition until it wilts.

• So not overcook the pasta or you will have a mushy dish. Also, don't forget about saving the pasta water when draining.

Here's how to make it: 

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water. Return to the pot.
   
2. Add the ricotta, baby spinach, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt and pepper, to taste.
   
3. Stir in 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Add more pasta water, if needed. Taste and add more salt and pepper, if needed.
   
4. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
   

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