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–+ servings

Quick Creamy Vegetarian Spinach Pasta with Ricotta

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Enjoy this quick creamy pasta with spinach and ricotta! A high protein vegetarian pasta that’s healthy, delicious, and ready in minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce Base
  • 8 oz 8oz (225 grams) pasta (penne, rigatoni, spaghetti…) Any short or long pasta shape will work.
  • 1 Tbsp 1 Tbsp olive oil or extra virgin olive oil, plus more to serve
  • 2-3 cloves 2-3 garlic cloves, finely sliced or minced Adjust according to taste.
  • 9 oz 9oz (250 grams) baby spinach, washed Fresh spinach preferred.
  • ¼ tsp ¼ tsp fine salt, plus more to taste
  • 5 oz 5oz (140 grams) cream cheese Use fresh cream cheese for best results.
  • 1 oz 1oz (30 grams) freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more to serve Freshly grated for best flavor.
  • ¼ tsp ¼ tsp ground nutmeg, or ⅓ of freshly grated nutmeg, or according to taste
  • black pepper, to taste

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions.
  2. Reserve at least 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water before draining and set aside.
Preparing the Sauce
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
  3. Add a portion of spinach and season with salt, then stir until wilted while adding the remaining spinach in handfuls.
  4. Stir in cream cheese and 1/3 cup of reserved pasta water once spinach is wilted but still bright green.
  5. Add grated parmesan cheese and nutmeg, stir well, and cook for a few minutes until the sauce is ready.
Combining the Pasta and Sauce
  1. Drain pasta and add to the skillet, tossing to combine.
  2. Serve immediately with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, ground black pepper, and freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 12gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 300mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2g

Notes

Serve hot right after tossing. Add a crisp salad or a bright side like an apple cider vinegar drizzle to cut the creaminess. Cool leftovers and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.