Low-Fat Spinach and Ricotta Pasta

By
Fiona Haynes
Fiona Haynes
Freelance writer and copy editor Fiona Haynes has published more than 100 published recipes focused on low-fat and healthy eating.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 02/9/23
Prep: 8 mins
Cook: 12 mins
Total: 20 mins
Servings: 6 servings

Quick-and-easy spinach and ricotta pasta will satisfy any craving for a decadent and creamy pasta, but this one is low-fat!

With its smooth texture and rich taste, you won't believe it's a healthy choice. The low-fat ricotta cheese replaces the high-fat cream found in similar creamy white pasta dishes, while the spinach and basil bring color, fiber, and freshness to the bowl. 

Enjoy this dish by itself, or pair it with a tossed salad or your favorite protein.

Low-Fat Spinach and Ricotta Pasta
The Spruce

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni, or penne, or shell pasta, cooked

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil

  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 10 ounces fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped

  • 1 ounce fresh basil, chopped

  • 1 cup low-fat ricotta cheese

  • 1/4 cup non-fat milk

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and zest of 1/2 lemon, optional

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste, optional

  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Spinach and Ricotta Pasta recipe ingredients
    The Spruce

  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions. 

    Pasta being added to boiling water
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  3. Meanwhile, in a large skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and sauté until onions are soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes, making sure the garlic doesn't brown.

    Onions and garlic being cooked in a skillet
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  4. Add spinach and basil to the skillet and stir until wilted.

    Spinach and onions being cooked in a skillet
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  5. Then add ricotta cheese and milk (and optional lemon juice and zest) to skillet and stir well.

    Ricotta cheese and spinach being cooked in a skillet
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  6. Drain pasta, reserving 1/4 cup or so of the cooking water.

    Cooked pasta in a colander
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  7. Combine cooked pasta and ricotta mixture in a large bowl. If it is too thick, add a bit of the cooking water to the mixture.

    Spinach and ricotta pasta being mixed in a bowl
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  8. Serve immediately with some freshly ground black pepper and an optional 1 teaspoon of grated Parmesan cheese per serving.

    Spinach and ricotta pasta
    The Spruce

Tips

  • This dish takes about 20 minutes to prepare from start to finish. While the pasta water is coming to a boil, you can chop the onion and spinach. Once the pasta is cooking, go ahead and prepare the creamy sauce.
  • For people on gluten-free diets, simply replace regular pasta with your favorite gluten-free pasta. Tinkyada is a good brand because it holds its texture.
  • This recipe can be served as a side dish or a weeknight vegetarian meal. But, when fleshed out with grilled chicken breast, roasted salmon, or grilled vegetables, it can become a good candidate for entertaining.
  • If you like, adding 1 teaspoon of grated Parmesan to each serving won't bump up the fat grams too much, and lemon added to the ricotta mixture gives this dish a little extra brightness.
  • Can also serve this dish with a slice of whole-grain bread and a green salad with your favorite low-fat dressing or sliced tomatoes drizzled with balsamic vinegar.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
185 Calories
6g Fat
24g Carbs
10g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 185
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g 7%
Saturated Fat 2g 12%
Cholesterol 13mg 4%
Sodium 84mg 4%
Total Carbohydrate 24g 9%
Dietary Fiber 2g 9%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 10g
Vitamin C 15mg 77%
Calcium 189mg 15%
Iron 2mg 13%
Potassium 405mg 9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)