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    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    One-Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta (Low-Carb Swaps)

    Published: Nov 17, 2022 · Modified: Jan 28, 2025 by Natalie Perry · This post may contain affiliate links · 5 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This healthy lemon ricotta pasta recipe features bright lemon flavors, creamy ricotta cheese, and chickpea pasta. Healthy, organic, and simple ingredients combine for a delicious flavor and easy dinner that requires minimal effort. Ready in under 20 minutes, one-pot ricotta lemon pasta is the perfect meal for any night of the week!

    a bright blue placemat with a white bowl and creamy lemon ricotta pasta with chicken spinach ad red pepper flakes with. lemon wedge and fork in the bowl this …

    Easy weeknight dinners and one-pot meals are definitely a favorite in my house. Healthy, quick, and easy clean-up saves time to enjoy the evening with family. It can be a great meatless weeknight dinner or easily add protein like shrimp, salmon, or chicken if you prefer!

    Jump to:
    • Choosing the Right Pasta
    • Intentions
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions and Variations
    • Equipment
    • FAQ
    • Storage
    • Recipe
    • Final Thoughts
    • Comments

    Choosing the Right Pasta

    For the longest time, we stayed away from recipes with pasta to avoid the highly processed, simple carbohydrate kinds of pasta that flood the mainstream grocery stores. They spike blood sugar and the chemical processing and hybridization of commercial wheat products cause inflammation and fatigue (among other things).

    Our favorite pasta swaps have always been spaghetti squash, spiralized zucchini, or roasted cauliflower. (YUM!) These are the best low-carb, whole-food, and plant-based pasta alternatives.

    After a while, we discovered Banza brand pasta. It is a high-protein and gluten-free pasta that tastes just like the traditional pasta we grew up with. Every now and then we switch it up and go for a Banza pasta.

    Note: There are some other better-for-you pasta brands out there that incorporate ancient and sprouted grains that are worthy of a shot as well!

    We are grateful to have options now to make processed and unhealthy pasta brands a thing of the past!

    Now let's set some healthy intentions. Then we can head to the grocery store for a handful of ingredients to create this healthy and delicious one-pot pasta meal.

    Intentions

    Intentions and affirmations are quick and simple yet powerful and transformational habits to cultivate and weave throughout the fabric of our lives.

    Setting clear intentions with positive affirmations and gratitude elevates the vibration of every step in the process of the day.

    It directs the energy of our day, our space, our food, and our cells to match the vibration of our desires- our intention. It is staying connected to our purpose and centered even amidst a chaotic world.

    Simply take 3 slow and even deep breaths and begin to imagine, or remember, what your goals and intentions are. some examples are:

    It is my intention to create food that makes my whole family feel good. Everyone feels healthy, happy, and energetic.

    I choose ingredients that are clean and nutritious and my body thanks me for it.

    This meal is fun to make and even more enjoyable to share with my loved ones. I am thankful for the ability to make this with ease (and clean it up quickly, too!)

    Choose whatever intention and positive affirmation that feels best for you and your goals. Repeat them as often as it feels right for you. Intentions work well before any activity, meal, or event. Read more about setting intentions here.

    Pull up your shopping list, and let's talk ingredients!

    Ingredients

    ingredients on a wooden table with a grey brick background. a white plate with fresh spinach and spices a whole lemon and garlic cloves with an orange box of Banza brand rotini and two clear ramekins with ricotta cheese and parmesan cheese

    Pasta

    Choose organic, sprouted, or ancient grain pasta, Banza chickpea pasta, or use roasted cauliflower, cooked spaghetti squash, or spiralized zucchini for more vegetables, low-calorie, and low-carb alternatives that taste amazing.

    For this recipe, we are using Banza rotini pasta. Rotini is a short pasta that my toddlers tend to enjoy.

    Banza also has spaghetti and penne pasta!

    Fresh Spinach

    We use organic baby spinach that comes pre-washed and packaged in the produce section. Be sure to get organic spinach, as leafy greens tend to be highly sprayed with pesticides on conventional farms! You can also add or use fresh arugula as well. The more diverse the green leafy vegetables we use, the more nutrients and health benefits we receive!

    Fresh Ricotta

    Ricotta makes a delicious creamy sauce. Be sure to look for organic ricotta for the best-sourced ingredients available. Whole-milk ricotta tends to make a creamier sauce than skim-milk ricotta.

    For a dairy-free option, search for almond milk ricotta. I have not personally tried it yet, but if you do, let me know how you like it!

    * With dairy-free cheeses, be sure the check the ingredients as some companies may add chemical ingredients. The more simple and clean the ingredients, the better!

    Garlic Cloves

    Organic is best

    Extra Virgin Olive Oil

    Extra Creamy Oat Milk

    Adds an even creamier texture to the sauce

    Fresh Parmesan Cheese

    Search for organic cheeses for the healthiest option that avoids unnecessary additives and stabilizers. Parmesan adds a delicious flavor that melds beautifully with the lemon ricotta sauce.

    Organic Lemon

    Be sure to grab an organic lemon so that when you do the zest, there isn't a waxy pesticide exterior getting into the food!

    Italian Seasoning

    Red Pepper Flakes

    Pink Himalayan Salt

    The best salt that is minimally processed and contains a wide range of trace minerals

    Cracked Black Pepper

    Reserved Pasta Water

    The pasta water contains starch which helps thicken the sauce slightly. Only add a small amount of the starchy water at a time when the recipe calls for it, as needed

    Instructions

    a pot with rotini pasta cooking in water with fresh spinach added

    Cook pasta according to the package directions.

    In the last 1-2 minutes, on medium-high heat, throw in the baby spinach and allow it to wilt. stirring occasionally.

    a white colander with rotini pasta and spinach

    Drain pasta and spinach, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water. 

    a bright skillet and spoon with rotini pasta cooked spinach leaves with milk and spices added

    Return cooked pasta and spinach to the pot on medium heat.

    Add lemon juice and lemon zest, garlic, oat milk, seasonings, olive oil, and a small amount of pasta water and stir for about one minute. 

    a black skillet and spoon with rotini pasta cheese, spinach before it melts and turns into a sauce

    Melt ricotta and parmesan cheeses and stir.

    Add additional pasta water as desired for consistency.

    Keep in mind when removed from heat, the sauce will thicken slightly.

    a picture of the cheeses melted on top of the creamy lemon ricotta pasta seasoned with red pepper flakes still in the skillet

    Top with chicken or shrimp if desired. Serve hot. Enjoy!

    Hint: Take the ricotta and parmesan out of the fridge while the pasta cooks so that it can take the chill off of it. Room temperature cheese will melt so much easier!

    close up of creamy pasta with spinach topped with red pepper flakes and garnished with a lemon wedge and spinach leaf

    Substitutions and Variations

    Gluten-Free: Omit parmesan, as this cheese can sometimes have gluten due to stabilizing additives. also, choose a gluten-free pasta or pasta alternative. If choosing pasta, be sure to choose an ancient grain, sprouted, or chickpea pasta!

    Pasta alternatives: Spaghetti squash, spiralized zucchini, or roasted cauliflower!

    Dairy-free: There are dairy-free cheeses out there made from almond milk or coconut milk. if opting for this choice, be sure to check the ingredients to avoid artificial additives or preservatives.

    Vegetarian: Simply make without adding meat! There is plenty of protein and this vegetarian pasta recipe is very filling on its own!

    *Add vegetables like peas, asparagus, arugula, or squash for extra veggies, texture, and flavor!

    *Can use organic heavy cream in place of oat milk, if desired.

    Equipment

    Large Skillet

    Made In Cookware - 3.5 Quar...Shop on Amazon

    Pasta Strainer

    HÖLM 3-Piece Stainless Ste...Shop on Amazon

    Cooking Spoon

    Wood Spoons for Cooking, Wo...Shop on Amazon

    Knife

    HENCKELS Classic Razor-Shar...Shop on Amazon

    Cutting Board

    GREENER CHEF Organic Bamboo...Shop on Amazon

    Citrus Juicer

    Citrus Juicer w Measuring C...Shop on Amazon

    A Grater with a Microplane for Zesting

    Microplane Classic Zester G...Shop on Amazon

    Measuring Cups and Spoons

    Measuring Cups and Spoons S...Shop on Amazon

    FAQ

    Does ricotta melt into a sauce?

    YES! Many people ask if ricotta can be heated- and the answer is yes! This is why it works so well in lasagna and other baked Italian dishes. Unlike other cheeses like mozzarella or cheddar, ricotta softens and melds into a creamy texture that is perfect for a sauce. For this dish, ricotta and parmesan work together with starchy pasta water and creamy oat milk for a perfectly creamy sauce. Give it a try, you will love it!

    Is ricotta cheese healthy?

    When properly sourced from organic and grass-fed whey (cows), ricotta can be a healthy choice for cheese. Ricotta is high in protein, amino acids, and several minerals and vitamins. The highest nutrient content includes phosphorus, calcium, selenium, and riboflavin. The fermented whey used to make ricotta may benefit bone health, support weight loss, and lower blood pressure when used sparingly in recipes.

    Why does ricotta say do not freeze?

    Ricotta has a high water content. Freezing a ricotta-based sauce may cause it to become watery when defrosting. This will change the consistency once reheated.

    Is Banza pasta good for you?

    Banza pasta is a high-protein pasta with lower carbs and a lower glycemic index (think reduced blood sugar spikes!) With 13g of fiber, 24g of protein, and minimal ingredients, it is a healthier option compared to traditional white flour pasta.

    Storage

    Store the leftover ricotta pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. (Please note that freezing ricotta may cause it to become watery and may change the texture of the sauce.)

    Recipe

    a pot filled with creamy lemon ricotta pasta in the left corner next to a white bowl of the pasta with a lemon wedge in it all on a wooden table

    One Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta (Organic with Low Carb Swaps)

    Natalie Perry
    This healthy lemon ricotta pasta recipe features bright lemon flavors, creamy ricotta cheese, and chickpea pasta. Healthy, organic, and simple ingredients combine for a delicious flavor and easy dinner that requires minimal effort. Ready in under 20 minutes, one-pot ricotta lemon pasta is the perfect meal for any night of the week!
    5 from 72 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 minutes mins
    Cook Time 14 minutes mins
    Total Time 16 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 581 kcal

    Equipment

    • large skillet
    • Pasta Strainer
    • Cooking Spoon
    • knife
    • cutting board
    • Citrus Juicer
    • A grater with a Microplane for zesting
    • Measuring Cups and Spoons

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 oz Banza rotini pasta
    • 15 oz organic whole milk ricotta cheese
    • 5 oz fresh baby spinach
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 large organic lemon juiced and zested
    • 5 oz fresh organic Parmesan cheese grated
    • ½ cup reserved pasta water
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • ¼ teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
    • ¼ tap cracked black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
    • ¼ cup extra creamy oat milk
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Cook Banza rotini pasta according to the package directions. In the last 1-2 minutes, on medium-high heat, throw in the baby spinach and allow it to wilt. Make sure to cook the pasta al dente.
    • Drain pasta and spinach, reserving about ½ cup of the pasta water.
    • Return cooked pasta and spinach to the pot on medium heat. Add lemon juice and lemon zest, garlic, oat milk, seasonings, olive oil, and a small amount of pasta water and stir for about one minute.
    • Melt ricotta and Parmesan cheeses and stir. Add additional pasta water as desired for consistency. Keep in mind when removed from heat, the sauce will thicken slightly.
    • Top with chicken or shrimp if desired. Serve hot. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Hint: Take the ricotta and parmesan out of the fridge while the pasta cooks so that it can take the chill off of it. Room temperature cheese will melt so much easier!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 581kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 32gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 898mgPotassium: 561mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 4185IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 621mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Final Thoughts

    We hope you enjoyed this delicious lemon ricotta pasta recipe as much as we do! Let us know how it went in the comments below! Share on social media and tag us in your creations. @mindfullyhealthymama on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, and @mindfullyhealthyliving on Facebook! Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter to get more healthy recipes directly to your inbox. Have a healthy and happy week!

    Natalie

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    Comments

      5 from 72 votes (70 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Dana Catello says

      August 22, 2023 at 8:14 pm

      5 stars
      Made this tonight for dinner. It was super easy and so delicious! We didn’t do any protein this time but this would definitely be delicious with chicken!

      Reply
      • Natalie Perry says

        August 23, 2023 at 10:25 pm

        Happy to hear you enjoyed it! It doesn't even need meat at all. So good!

        Reply
    2. Melissa says

      January 27, 2023 at 12:03 am

      I love everything about this recipe! I'm a huge pasta fan. Spinach and ricotta are some of favorites for pasta dishes. I'm saving this to try soon!

      Reply
      • Natalie Perry says

        January 27, 2023 at 1:28 pm

        So glad you enjoyed it, let us know how it turns out for you 🙂

        Reply
    3. NCP says

      December 20, 2022 at 7:32 am

      5 stars
      The lemon and ricotta mix makes a great sauce! I can’t wait to try it with spaghetti squash sometime soon!

      Reply
    A woman smiling with long brown hair and flowered v-neck dress shirt on.

    Hello there! My name is Natalie. My passion is creating and sharing healthy recipes, tips, and affirmations for a healthy mind and body. I am a wife, mom, certified holistic nutrition specialist, hypnotherapist, reiki master, and healthy food blogger! I enjoy learning, creating, and sharing healthy recipes that the whole family will love.

    Thanks for stopping in! We look forward to hearing how you like our recipes! Welcome to the tribe :)

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    side of a pot of prepared lemon ricotta pasta next to a white bowl of creamy lemon ricotta pasta with added chicken and garnished with a lemon wedge all atop a wooden table

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