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One-Pot Spinach Ricotta Pasta — Italian Pasta recipe, 23 min, serves 4Italian

One-Pot Spinach Ricotta Pasta

Published ·Updated ·by ·✓ Editorially Reviewed
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Vegetarian

Dollops of creamy ricotta melt into a light lemon-garlic sauce while baby spinach wilts around tender shell pasta. This vegetarian one-pot meal is comfort food that comes together faster than ordering takeout.

23
min
5
prep
🔥
18
cook
👥
4
servings
440
kcal / serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

1

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Saute garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.

1:00
2

Add 750 ml (3 cups) of water and a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and add the shell pasta.

3:00
3

Cook the pasta, stirring often, until al dente and most of the water has been absorbed.

9:00
💡 The starchy water will become the base of your sauce.
4

Add the baby spinach and stir until wilted, about 1 minute.

1:00
5

Remove from heat. Dollop the ricotta over the pasta, add lemon juice and Parmesan, then gently fold everything together.

💡 Leave some ricotta in distinct pockets for a beautiful presentation.

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Common Questions

Can I use frozen spinach?
Yes, thaw and squeeze out excess water first. You will need about 100 g (3.5 oz) of frozen spinach.
What can I use instead of ricotta?
Mascarpone or cream cheese give a similar creamy texture, though the flavor will be slightly different.
Can I add protein to this dish?
Grilled chicken, white beans, or crispy pancetta all pair well with these flavors.

What to drink with this

🍷
Wine
Chianti Classico or Barbera d'Asti — Italy's medium-bodied reds match tomato acidity perfectly.
🍺
Beer
Italian pilsner like Peroni Nastro Azzurro.
🍸
Cocktail
Aperol Spritz — bitter-sweet aperitif balances rich pasta.
🥤
Non-alcoholic
Sparkling water with lemon and a sprig of basil.

Ingredient substitutions

IngredientReplace withRatioNotes
parmesanPecorino Romano1:1Saltier and sharper; reduce added salt slightly.
Grana Padano1:1Milder, slightly less aged.
The story behind this recipe ▾
Ricotta and spinach are a timeless Italian pairing found in everything from ravioli fillings to lasagna layers. This one-pot approach captures those beloved flavors in a fraction of the time, letting the ricotta create a naturally creamy sauce without any heavy cream.
This recipe is for inspiration only. We do not provide food safety, storage, or nutritional advice. Always follow your local food safety guidelines. Check all ingredients for allergens.
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