Lighter Lemony Pasta And Spinach Bake Food

LEMON RICOTTA PASTA & SPINACH

Steps:

• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Meanwhile, make the ricotta sauce.
• In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, olive oil, parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon zest and juice. Season with 1/4 tsp of salt and a good pinch of pepper.
• Stir until well combined, taste and make sure you're happy with the seasoning.
• In the last minute of the pasta's cooking time, reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then and add spinach to the pot. Stir well and push the leaves down to submerge them in water.
• After 1 minute, drain and return pasta and spinach to the same pot.
• Add the ricotta sauce and part of the reserved cooking water. Stir well to evenly coat the pasta in the sauce, add more cooking water as needed, you want a smooth and creamy texture.
• Serve immediately and garnish with grated or shaved Parmesan cheese, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and lemon wedges if desired (for extra freshly squeezed juice, but I leave it optional). Plus, I love adding a good pinch of red pepper flakes, you might give it a go. Enjoy!

LEMON PASTA WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute garlic in butter until tender. Add the spinach, lemon juice and zest, salt and pepper; cook 2-3 minutes longer or until spinach is wilted., Drain pasta. Add to skillet; toss to coat.

BAKED PASTA WITH SPINACH, LEMON AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Cook pasta in boiling water for 8 minutes or until almost al dente, omitting salt and fat.
• Remove from heat; stir in spinach. Let stand for 2 minutes or until spinach wilts. Drain pasta mixture well.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion; cook 15 minutes or until golden brown, stirring frequently.
• Weigh or lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Add flour and garlic; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with a whisk.
• Gradually add milk and wine; cook 8 minutes or until sauce boils and thickens, stirring constantly.
• Stir in 3/4 cup of cheese, salt and rind. Remove from heat; stir in pepper.
• Add pasta mixture, and toss gently to coat.
• Spoon pasta mixture into a 13x9 inch-glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray.
• Sprinkle half of panko breadcrumbs over pasta, and top evenly with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.
• Sprinkle the remaining half of panko breadcrumbs over cheese.
• Bake at 350 for 50 minutes.