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Looking down on a large serving bowl of Lemon Ricotta pasta.
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Lemon Ricotta Pasta

A hearty bowl of pasta with a creamy lemon ricotta sauce.
Prep Time12 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time27 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Lemon Ricotta Pasta
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 327kcal
Author: Erin

Ingredients

  • 1 lb cooked rigatoni or mezzi rigatoni pasta
  • 15 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded parmesan plus shaved parm for serving
  • ⅓ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice plus slices for garnish
  • 10 oz spinach
  • 1 teaspoon finely ground pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Olive oil optional
  • Red pepper flakes optional

Instructions

  • Combine lemon juice, ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese and herbs nad spices in a large saucepan over medium heat until the cheeses have melted and started to form a creamy sauce.
  • Stir in fresh spinach and stir occasionally over heat for 5 minutes.
  • Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss until all is well coated.
  • Transfer pasta and sauce to a serving dish and add the optional red pepper flakes, shaved parmesan and fresh squeezed lemon juice for a bright lemon flavor.
  • Add a drizzle of olive oil on top, if using, and enjoy.

Notes

  • By adding in a few more fresh vegetables, you can really make this the perfect meal. Adding some cherry tomatoes would add a nice pop of color and bring a little extra pop of flavor to the lemon ricotta pasta sauce. You could also add some sweet peas, edamame or some bacon pieces (not a vegetable, but still a delicious complimentary ingredient)
  • Serve this easy weeknight meal with a nice big, green salad and you'll enjoy every bite of it. 
  • You can add some cooked chicken to the dish to really round it out and add some additional protein to this great recipe. 
  • Make your pasta according to the package directions. If you prefer al dente pasta, feel free to cook a little less than the package instructions.
  • Fresh squeezed lemon really makes this dish. Do NOT use the stuff from the bottle, you won't get that same oop of fresh, bright, citrus flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 327kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 753mg | Potassium: 422mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 4884IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 406mg | Iron: 3mg