Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Ingredients:
350g (12 oz) pasta (like spaghetti, fettuccine, or any pasta you prefer)
1 cup ricotta cheese (preferably whole milk)
1 lemon (zest and juice)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh spinach (optional)
1/4 cup pasta cooking water (reserved)

Instructions:
Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Reserve about 1/4 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
Prepare the Ricotta Sauce:
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
Lower the heat and add the ricotta cheese to the pan, stirring to combine. Let it warm up for a couple of minutes.
Add Lemon:
Stir in the lemon zest and juice to the ricotta mixture, mixing everything together until smooth.
If the sauce is too thick, gradually add some of the reserved pasta cooking water to reach your desired consistency.
Combine Pasta and Sauce:
Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the ricotta mixture. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve:
Serve the pasta warm, garnished with fresh basil or parsley, and more Parmesan if desired.
Tips:
You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
If you like a creamier texture, you can mix in a bit of heavy cream or a dollop of mascarpone.
Enjoy your Lemon Ricotta Pasta! 🍋🍝