This spinach and ricotta pasta dish makes for an easy and healthy weeknight dinner option and can be tailored with various add-ins to fit your personal preferences.
Cook spinach and ricotta pasta Adelaide according to package directions, setting aside 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking liquid as you do so; this will create a silky smooth sauce.
Cook the Pasta
Pasta is an essential staple for most families and can be enjoyed in numerous ways. From topping it with pasta sauce or grilling vegetables to filling ravioli or tortellini with it – pasta’s versatility means it can be enjoyed year-round! This recipe features spinach and ricotta combined to produce an effortless yet delectable dish – with velvety smoothness provided by ricotta cream, while parmesan adds salty umami flavour for an irresistibly flavourful dish!
It is an easy and quick weeknight dinner recipe you may already have on hand in your pantry and fridge. Use it as a filling for fresh ravioli or tortellini, and pair it with any vegetable or protein source for an irresistibly flavourful combination!
Save time by simultaneously cooking pasta and sauteing spinach – this will allow the pasta to reach al dente status while simultaneously wilting the spinach leaves. When done, drain and reserve one cup of the cooking liquid as you drain off.
Melt butter over medium heat in a large skillet set over medium-high heat; add garlic cloves, and cook until fragrant before mixing in ricotta until smooth (add reserved pasta water if needed for thinned sauce); then taste and season with nutmeg, salt and pepper as desired before tossing your pasta into this delicious mixture! Top off your finished product with additional grated parmesan cheese as desired for garnish!
Sauté the Spinach
Sauteed spinach can be an easy and convenient way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet. Spinach leaves provide essential vitamins A and C, calcium, iron and other minerals, and antioxidants that promote good health and fight disease.
For a delicious spinach and ricotta pasta Adelaide dish, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add spinach leaves. It will allow them to wilt while also developing some browning that adds flavour quickly. Feel free to add other aromatics or spices as desired, such as minced garlic, onion, chilli flakes or crushed red pepper for an additional kick!
While your spinach cooks, bring a large pot of well-salted water to boil and follow package directions to prepare your pasta – be sure to reserve 1 cup of starchy cooking liquid!
Make the Sauce
This weeknight pasta dish is easy and quick to prepare, taking only minutes longer than it takes the pasta to cook! Ricotta and cream create a velvety sauce; Parmesan adds salty, umami flavours, while spinach adds colours and earthy notes.
This spinach and ricotta pasta Adelaide recipe is quick, easy to make, adaptable for different tastes, and easily customizable. Lemon lovers should add zest and juice for added zest; vegetarians could sub out parmesan for vegan alternatives; seafood enthusiasts could add grilled chicken or cooked shrimp for additional heartiness and filling power; sun-dried tomatoes could add Mediterranean flair!
Toss the Pasta
This delicious spinach and ricotta pasta is an easy dinner idea for when you want a light yet quick dinner option—made from ingredients you likely already have in your pantry and fridge – and packed with plant-based proteins!
This dish offers a healthier alternative to spinach and ricotta cannelloni or ravioli while tasting just as delectable. Enjoy the creamy texture of traditional pasta bakes without as many carbs, with richness coming from ricotta, while lemon, Parmesan cheese, and garlic add extra flavours and textures – plus it takes only 30 minutes!
Add the pasta, sauce, fresh herbs (if desired), and serve. Serve this meal alongside salad and bread for an authentic meal experience; any leftovers can remain in the fridge for 2-3 days.
This recipe calls for spaghetti, but feel free to use any noodle you like or have on hand; spaghettini, fettuccine and tagliatelle all work well. Be sure to use an excellent quality extra virgin olive oil – it adds something special. Also required are ricotta cheese, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, freshly cracked black peppercorns, freshly grated Nutmeg spice and lemon juice and zest (for best results, use a high-quality citrus zester/juicer).