This creamy lemon ricotta pasta is a fresh twist on the popular classic. The ricotta melts into a smooth, creamy sauce while lemon adds that bright, fresh flavor that makes lemon ricotta pasta with spinach so loved.
The difference here? A drizzle of hot honey at the end adds a subtle sweetness that takes it to the next level and goes so well with the other flavors. (And if you don’t have any, no worries – you can use regular honey or skip it altogether and the pasta will still be amazing.)
Why You’ll Love This Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Spinach
Bright, fresh flavor – Lemon juice, zest, ricotta, Parmesan cheese and a hint of honey come together to make the BEST flavor.
Easy weeknight dinner – Comes together quickly with minimal prep. If you love creamy, flavor-packed pasta dishes like this, you’ll also want to try my One Pot Creamy Ground Turkey Pasta for another easy dinner idea.
Creamy without heavy cream – The ricotta creates a rich, silky sauce without feeling too heavy.
Unique twist – A drizzle of hot honey adds a subtle sweetness that sets this lemon ricotta pasta apart.
Customizable – Add protein like chicken or white beans or mix in some other vegetables you have on hand.
Key Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Short-Noodle Pasta – Shapes like penne, rigatoni, farfalle or shells work best because they hold onto the creamy sauce. You can even use protein pasta for extra protein.
- Ricotta Cheese – Whole milk ricotta is best for a rich, creamy texture. Part-skim works, but the sauce won’t be quite as smooth. If needed, you can substitute with cottage cheese (blended for a smoother consistency).
- Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated Parmesan melts best and adds the most flavor. Pre-shredded can work, but it may not melt as smoothly. Pecorino Romano is a great substitute for a slightly saltier, sharper flavor.
- Lemon – Fresh lemon juice and zest are key here for that bright, fresh flavor. Bottled lemon juice isn’t recommended, as it can taste flat or overly acidic.
- Garlic – Jarred or freshly minced garlic both work fine.
- Spinach – Fresh spinach wilts perfectly into the pasta and adds color and nutrients. You can substitute with kale (cook a bit longer) or arugula for a slightly peppery flavor.
- Honey (Regular or Hot Honey) – Regular honey adds a subtle sweetness, while hot honey brings a sweet and slightly spicy kick. If using regular honey, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a similar effect. Adjust to taste depending on how sweet or spicy you like it.
Tips for the Best Creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta
- Save your pasta water – The starchy water helps loosen the sauce and makes it extra creamy. Add a splash at the end as needed.
- Mix the ricotta separately – Stir the ricotta, parmesan, lemon, and seasonings in a bowl before adding it to the pasta. This helps it blend smoothly instead of clumping.
- Add ricotta off heat – Turn off heat before mixing in the ricotta to keep the sauce creamy and prevent it from becoming grainy.
- Use fresh lemon – Fresh juice and zest make a big difference in flavor and keep the sauce bright and balanced.
- Balance the flavors at the end – Taste before serving and adjust with more salt, lemon juice, parmesan, or honey as needed.
- Add honey last – Stir in the honey at the end so you can control the sweetness and get the best flavor balance. Start with one tablespoon and taste before adding more.
Storage & Reheating
How to Store Creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days
- Let the pasta cool completely before storing
- Keep in mind the sauce will thicken as it sits
How to Reheat
Stovetop (best method):
- Add pasta to a skillet over low heat
- Add a splash of water or milk
- Stir gently until warmed through and creamy again
Microwave:
- Place in a microwave-safe bowl
- Add a splash of water or milk
- Cover and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between
FAQ’s
Yes! Cottage cheese works as a substitute, but for the best texture, blend it first until smooth. This helps create that same creamy, silky sauce.
No problem — you can use a splash of regular water instead. Add it slowly while stirring until the sauce loosens and becomes smooth and creamy again.
This pasta is best served fresh, but you can make it ahead and store it in the fridge for a few days. When reheating, add a splash of water or milk to bring the sauce back to life and keep it creamy.
No — but it adds a really unique sweet and slightly spicy flavor that makes this version stand out. You can use regular honey instead, or skip it altogether for a more classic lemon ricotta pasta.
Creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Spinach & Honey
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta any short noodle
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp minced garlic or 3-4 cloves, finely chopped
- 2 cups fresh spinach roughly chopped
- 1-2 tbsp honey regular or hot
Ricotta Mix:
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 lemon zest from whole + juice from ½
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- COOK PASTA: Fill a large pot with water and cook pasta according to package instructions. While the pasta is cooking, make the ricotta mixture.
- RICOTTA MIX: In a medium sized bowl, add the ricotta, Parmesan cheese, zest from one lemon, juice from HALF the lemon, olive oil, salt and pepper. Stir until everything is combined and set aside.
- DRAIN: When pasta is done, be sure to reserve ½ cup of the cooking water before draining. Then, move pasta to a strainer to drain.
- BUILD BASE: In the same pot used to cook the noodles, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Once butter is melted, add minced garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- COMBINE: Add the cooked pasta and spinach to the pot with garlic butter. Gently stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until the spinach starts to wilt. Turn off the heat.
- FINISH: Add the ricotta mixture and some of the reserved cooking water to the pasta and stir gently until creamy and all noodles are coated with sauce. If needed, add more cooking water until it's smooth and creamy. (I typically use about ¼ cup. And if you forgot to save the pasta water, just add warm water instead.)
- TASTE: Drizzle one tablespoon of regular or hot honey over the pasta and gently stir. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more honey, lemon juice, salt or pepper if needed. (I personally like to add 2 tablespoons of hot honey to the pasta, but everyone's taste is different. Check it after one.)
- SERVE: Enjoy as is or garnish with red pepper flakes, extra Parmesan or an extra drizzle of hot honey.
- If you make this and have a quick second to give it a rating, I would appreciate it so much! Just scroll to the end of the page until you see a row of stars. It really helps my little website, so thank you in advance. :)
Nutrition
More Easy Pasta Recipes You’ll Love
If you love easy, creamy pasta recipes like this one, here are a few more reader favorites to try next.
- One Pot Creamy Ground Turkey Pasta
- Mexican White Spaghetti
- One Pot Tuscan Pasta with ground Turkey
- Mexican Street Corn Mac& Cheese
- Healthy Black Bean & Corn Pasta Salad
