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creamy lemon ricotta pasta with spinach & sun-dried tomatoes recipe - Creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomatoes served in a white bowl overhead view
Chloe

Creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomatoes

creamy lemon ricotta pasta with spinach & sun-dried tomatoes recipe made easy at home. A bright, creamy pasta dish that's weeknight-quick and bursting with Me
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 8 oz short pasta (penne or rigatoni) dry
Sauce & Vegetables
  • 2 tbsp olive oil extra-virgin
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 5 oz baby spinach pre-washed
  • 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 lemon zest and juice (about 1/4 cup juice)
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil drained and thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for serving
  • to taste salt and black pepper
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water as needed
Garnish
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves torn

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add spinach in batches, stirring until just wilted, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.
  3. Zest the lemon, then juice it. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, most of the lemon zest (reserve a pinch for garnish), lemon juice, Parmesan, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until smooth and creamy.
  4. Return the skillet with spinach to low heat. Add the drained pasta, ricotta mixture, and sun-dried tomatoes. Toss gently, adding reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until the sauce clings to the pasta and is creamy. Heat through for 1-2 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  5. Transfer to a serving bowl. Top with torn basil, reserved lemon zest, extra Parmesan, and a crack of black pepper. Serve immediately.