Description
Spinach pasta delivers a silky, luxurious Italian-inspired comfort meal packed with green goodness and rich parmesan flavor. Creamy textures and herb-infused notes invite you to savor each delightful forkful of this easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 200 grams (7 ounces) pasta (penne, fusilli, or orecchiette), cooked al dente
- 125–150 grams (4.4–5.3 ounces) ricotta cheese
- 20 grams (0.7 ounces) baby spinach or rocket
- 30 grams (1 ounce) peas
Cheese and Seasoning:
- 30–50 grams (1–1.8 ounces) parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Dried chili flakes or fresh red chili, finely diced (optional)
Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
- Zest and juice of 1.5 lemons
Instructions
- Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a vigorous boil, preparing to cook the pasta until it reaches a tender al dente texture.
- Simultaneously, craft a velvety sauce by whisking ricotta, parmesan, zesty lemon zest and juice, fragrant olive oil, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper until uniformly blended.
- During the pasta’s final cooking minute, quickly blanch the spinach in the same boiling water to preserve its vibrant green color and nutrients.
- Carefully drain the pasta, then gently toss with a light drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking and allow slight cooling.
- Fold the creamy ricotta-lemon sauce into the pasta, ensuring each strand is luxuriously coated with the aromatic mixture.
- Incorporate the blanched spinach and peas, adding a hint of chili for those desiring an extra kick of heat.
- Transfer to serving dishes, finishing with a delicate drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of cracked black pepper, and elegant parmesan shavings as a crowning touch.
Notes
- Blanch spinach quickly to retain its vibrant green color and prevent overcooking, which can make it lose nutrients and turn mushy.
- Use fresh ricotta for a smoother, creamier sauce that blends more easily and provides a richer flavor profile.
- Customize the dish by adding protein like grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp for a more substantial meal that suits different dietary preferences.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular pasta with zucchini noodles or your favorite gluten-free pasta alternative for a lighter, diet-friendly option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 30mg