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- 12 oz (340g) pasta (choose your favorite: spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne) - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 4 cloves garlic, finely minced - 4 cups vegetable broth (low-sodium recommended) - Zest of 2 lemons (about 2 teaspoons) - Juice of 1 lemon (approximately 3 tablespoons) - 1 cup creamy ricotta cheese - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cup fresh spinach leaves - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish - Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving When I make One Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta, I love using fresh ingredients. The right pasta makes a big difference. You can choose spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne. Each type gives a unique texture. I start with good olive oil. It brings flavor to the dish. Next, I add fresh garlic. Minced garlic adds a strong taste. Don't skip it! I also use vegetable broth. Low-sodium broth is best. It lets the lemon shine without being too salty. Lemon zest is key. It adds a bright flavor. I use zest from two lemons. Then, I add juice from one lemon for a fresh hit. Ricotta cheese makes the pasta creamy. I use a full cup for richness. Cherry tomatoes add color. They burst with sweetness in the dish. Fresh spinach gives a nice green touch. Salt and pepper are vital for taste. You can adjust them to your liking. Finally, I like to garnish with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese. They add a lovely finish to this delightful meal. With these ingredients, you’ll create a dish that is both simple and tasty. Start by heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 4 cloves of finely minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute. You want it to smell great, not brown. If it turns brown, it will taste bitter. Next, pour in 12 ounces of your favorite pasta. Add 4 cups of vegetable broth and the zest of 2 lemons. Stir well, making sure everything is mixed. Bring the pot to a boil. Once it boils, reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 10 to 12 minutes. Stir occasionally. Cook until the pasta is al dente, and most of the liquid is absorbed. Now, gently fold in 1 cup of creamy ricotta cheese and the juice of 1 lemon. Add 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes and 1 cup of fresh spinach leaves. Stir until the ricotta is mixed in well. You want the spinach to just wilt. Taste the dish and add salt and freshly cracked black pepper if needed. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. This warms everything through and blends the flavors. To get a creamy texture, you need to blend the ricotta well. Add it slowly when the pasta is hot. This helps the cheese melt and mix easily. If you add it too fast, it may clump. Stir gently until every bite is creamy and smooth. You can adjust the garlic and lemon flavors to suit your taste. If you love garlic, add more! Start with three cloves and go up from there. For lemon, add zest first, then taste. If you want more zing, add more lemon juice. Tasting as you go helps find the right balance. Timing is key to keeping pasta al dente. Stir the pasta every few minutes while it cooks. This helps it cook evenly. Follow the cooking time on the package but start checking a minute early. When it’s firm but not hard, it’s done. This will keep your dish from turning mushy. {{image_4}} You can change up the veggies in this dish. Adding zucchini gives a nice crunch. Bell peppers add sweetness. Other great options include asparagus and peas. Feel free to mix and match based on what you like. Want some protein? Try adding chicken, shrimp, or tofu. Cook the chicken in the pot first until golden. For shrimp, add them just before the pasta is done. Tofu can be sautéed or added directly for a quick protein boost. If you want to skip dairy, there are great substitutes. Use cashew cream in place of ricotta. Nutritional yeast can add a cheesy flavor instead of Parmesan. These options keep the dish creamy and tasty without dairy. To store leftovers, let the pasta cool first. Place it in an airtight container. Refrigerate it within two hours of cooking. This keeps it fresh for about three days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing. When reheating, avoid the microwave. It can make the pasta dry. Instead, use a skillet. Add a splash of broth or water to keep it moist. Heat over low to medium heat. Stir gently until warmed through. This method keeps the texture creamy. To freeze, pack cooled pasta in a freezer-safe container. Leave some space for expansion. It can last for up to three months. To defrost, transfer it to the fridge overnight. Reheat it in a skillet as mentioned above. Enjoy the same great taste later! To make this dish vegetarian, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can easily skip any meat proteins. This pasta is already packed with flavor from garlic, lemon, and ricotta. The cherry tomatoes and spinach add freshness too. Yes, you can! Spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne all work well. Each pasta shape cooks at a similar time. Check the package for specific cooking times, but most will take around 10-12 minutes to become al dente. Just remember to adjust the liquid if you change the pasta type. This pasta pairs nicely with a light salad or crusty bread. A green salad with lemon vinaigrette balances the richness of the dish. You can also serve it with a glass of white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc, to enhance the lemon flavors. In this blog post, we explored how to make a delicious One Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta. We covered essential ingredients, step-by-step cooking instructions, tips for the perfect texture, and tasty variations. Cooking can be simple, healthy, and fun. You can use this recipe as a base to create your favorite dish. Don't hesitate to play with flavors and ingredients. Enjoy your cooking journey and savor every bite!

One Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Discover the joy of cooking with this One Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta Delight! Bursting with fresh flavors from lemon, ricotta, and vibrant veggies, this quick and easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. Ready in just 25 minutes, it's a creamy, delicious meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. Click to explore the full recipe and bring a burst of sunshine to your dinner table! #OnePotPasta #LemonRicotta #QuickRecipes #PastaDelight
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Ingredients
  

12 oz (340g) pasta (choose your favorite: spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 cloves garlic, finely minced

4 cups vegetable broth (low-sodium recommended)

Zest of 2 lemons (about 2 teaspoons)

Juice of 1 lemon (approximately 3 tablespoons)

1 cup creamy ricotta cheese

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cup fresh spinach leaves

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions
 

In a large pot or deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant, being cautious not to let it brown and turn bitter.

    Pour the pasta into the pot along with the vegetable broth, lemon zest, and a generous pinch of salt. Stir the mixture well to combine all the ingredients evenly, bringing it to a vigorous boil.

      Once the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer gently for about 10-12 minutes, or as directed on the pasta package, stirring occasionally. Cook until the pasta is al dente and the majority of the liquid has been absorbed.

        Gently fold in the ricotta cheese, lemon juice, halved cherry tomatoes, and fresh spinach. Stir thoroughly until the ricotta is well incorporated and the spinach has just wilted, creating a creamy texture.

          Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly cracked black pepper as desired. Allow the pasta mixture to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, ensuring it's warmed through.

            Remove the pot from the heat and let it rest for a couple of minutes. This allows the flavors to meld before serving.

              Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes | Servings: 4

                - Presentation Tips: Serve the pasta in a large bowl or on individual plates, garnished with vibrant fresh basil leaves. Top with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for an added layer of flavor and a touch of elegance. Enjoy your delightful meal!