Skip to Content

Creamy Spinach Pasta with Ricotta & Lemon

January 28, 2026 / By Holly Erickson

Ready in 20 minutes, my easy creamy spinach pasta recipe is the kind of weeknight comfort food that makes winter days look a little brighter.  

bowls of creamy spinach pasta brightened with lemon and topped with ricotta and pepper. An elegant 30 minute dinner.
Photography by Gayle McLeod

I buy spinach almost every time I go to the grocery store, but half the time I forget it’s in the fridge and it almost goes bad. When I’ve got spinach that’s right on the edge, I make this speedy creamy spinach pasta recipe! 

With heavy cream, lemon, ricotta and garlic, it’s indulgent! But the spinach at least adds a nutritional punch, too. For another delicious spinach pasta, try spinach gnocchi

ingredients laid out to make creamy spinach pasta topped with ricotta and black pepper, a simple 30 minute dinner

How To Make Creamy Spinach Pasta

  1. Cook the pasta until al dente, and save a little pasta water.
  2. Sauté spinach, shallots, garlic, and a little salt.
  3. Make the sauce: Blend the wilted spinach, basil, cream, oil, lemon, and parmesan.
  4. Gently simmer the sauce.
  5. Add the pasta and pasta water.
  6. Use tongs to carefully stir it and coat each noodle.
  7. Serve! 
a bit of pasta water being reserved from a pot of cooked pasta to make easy creamy spinach pasta, a bright winter dinner
garlic add shallot being cooked in olive oil in a skillet making an aromatic base for creamy spinach pasta sauce
garlic, shallot, and spinach being cooked in a skillet to use as the base for a creamy spinach and lemon pasta sauce
cooked garlic, spinach and shallot being blended with basil, Parmesan, cream and lemon making a fresh and bright pasta sauce

Tips + Swaps

  • Cook the pasta for a minute or two less than the package suggests. You’ll finish the dish by simmering the pasta in the sauce, so you don’t want to start with over-cooked noodles. 
  • All pasta shapes work with this sauce! I used casarecce because that’s what I had, but rigatoni, penne or even linguine would all work well.  
  • Burrata in place of ricotta will transform the dish, but in a good way!  
  • Top the pasta with toasted panko for a little crunch. 
cooked pasta being tossed with creamy and lemony spinach pasta sauce, an easy 30 minute vegetarian dinner
cooked pasta being tossed with creamy and lemony spinach pasta sauce, an easy 30 minute vegetarian dinner

How To Store Leftovers

Creamy pastas like this are best fresh, but will keep in the fridge for a few days. To heat it up, warm it over medium-low heat in a shallow pan or skillet until its warmed through. Because of the cream, you want to warm it gently. I wouldn’t freeze leftovers. 

bowls of creamy spinach pasta brightened with lemon and topped with ricotta and pepper. An elegant 30 minute dinner.

Hungry For More?

For more recipe inspiration, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest or order our cookbook. We love when you share your meals. Tag us on Instagram using #themodernproper, and we’d love to hear what you think of this recipe in the comments below. Happy cooking!

5 Days of FAB Family Meals for 2026

FREE EMAIL BONUS: Quick wins for busy nights!

bowls of creamy spinach pasta brightened with lemon and topped with ricotta and pepper. An elegant 30 minute dinner.

Creamy Spinach Pasta with Ricotta & Lemon Recipe

  • Serves:  4
  • Prep Time:  10 min
  • Cook Time:  20 min
  • Calories:  659

Description

A light yet comforting Creamy Spinach Pasta. Tender pasta tossed with creamy spinach and lemony sauce and topped with ricotta, is a fresh, spring-inspired vegetarian dinner that’s easy enough for weeknights and elegant enough for guests.

Print Recipe

💌 Send yourself this recipe

Enter your email and we'll send Creamy Spinach Pasta with Ricotta & Lemon right to your inbox.

    Ingredients

    • 12 ounces pasta, such as casarecce
    • 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    • 1 medium shallot, chopped
    • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
    • 5 ounces baby spinach
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
    • ½ cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
    • ½ cup heavy cream
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
    • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, (from 1 lemon)
    • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
    • ¾ cup ricotta cheese, for serving
    • Freshly cracked black pepper, for serving

    Method

    1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook, according to directions, to al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the liquid and drain the pasta.

      a bit of pasta water being reserved from a pot of cooked pasta to make easy creamy spinach pasta, a bright winter dinner
    2. Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a second large pot over medium heat. Once the oil is glistening, add the shallot and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring until fragrant, about another minute. Add the spinach and salt and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 5 minutes more.

      garlic, shallot, and spinach being cooked in a skillet to use as the base for a creamy spinach and lemon pasta sauce
    3. Transfer the spinach mixture to the base of a blender. Add the basil, heavy cream, remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and parmesan. Blend until smooth, about 2 minutes. Season with salt to taste.

      cooked garlic, spinach and shallot being blended with basil, Parmesan, cream and lemon making a fresh and bright pasta sauce
    4. Return the sauce to the pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in the cooked pasta along with the reserved cooking liquid, 2 tablespoons at a time, until the sauce coats the pasta. 

      cooked pasta being tossed with creamy and lemony spinach pasta sauce, an easy 30 minute vegetarian dinner
    5. Divide the pasta among 4 bowls. Top with a dollop of ricotta, parmesan, and black pepper.

      Creamy Spinach Pastawith Ricotta Lemon 8

    Nutrition Info

    • Per Serving
    • Amount
    • Calories 659
    • Protein 23 g
    • Carbohydrates 72 g
    • Total Fat 32 g
    • Dietary Fiber 5 g
    • Cholesterol 65 mg
    • Sodium 596 mg
    • Total Sugars 6 g

    Creamy Spinach Pasta with Ricotta & Lemon

    Questions & Reviews

    Join the discussion below.

    or