Description
Creamy Spinach and Ricotta Pasta is a comforting, flavorful dish that combines tender pasta with a rich, creamy spinach and ricotta sauce. This dish is perfect for any occasion and can be made in under 30 minutes, offering a light yet indulgent meal.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups fresh spinach (chopped)
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or milk for a lighter version)
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Additional grated Parmesan (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Sauté the spinach: In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add the chopped spinach and cook for 3-4 minutes until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
- Make the sauce: Add the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream to the pan with the spinach. Stir to combine, letting the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes until heated through and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.
- Combine the pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat the pasta evenly. If necessary, add more pasta water to help the sauce adhere to the pasta.
- Serve: Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can sauté onions along with the garlic.
- If you like a thicker sauce, add more ricotta cheese or reduce the cream slightly.
- Feel free to add more vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, or roasted cherry tomatoes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Vegetarian
- Method: Sautéing, Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450-550
- Sugar: 5-8g
- Sodium: 300-450mg
- Fat: 25-35g
- Saturated Fat: 10-15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5-10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45-55g
- Fiber: 3-5g
- Protein: 15-20g
- Cholesterol: 40-60mg
