Buckle up, food lovers, because we’re about to take your taste buds on the ultimate flavor adventure with this Skillet Ricotta Pasta with Roasted Broccoli and Spinach Recipe! This epic dish is a revolutionary twist on a classic pasta dish, featuring a sensational explosion of creamy ricotta, tender roasted broccoli, and nutrient-packed spinach. Get ready to smash some delicious rules and transform your ordinary meal into a legendary food experience!
Why You’ll Love This Skillet Ricotta Pasta with Roasted Broccoli and Spinach Recipe
This incredible recipe is the ultimate fusion of comfort, nutrition, and downright deliciousness. The creamy, dreamy ricotta sauce coats every strand of pasta, while the roasted broccoli and spinach add a thrilling textural contrast and a massive nutritional punch. It’s an insane, mouth-watering dish that will have your friends and family begging for more. Plus, it’s a breeze to make, so you can enjoy this epic feast any night of the week. Prepare to be the talk of the town with this revolutionary recipe!
Ingredients
This recipe calls for a few simple, high-quality ingredients that come together to create an incredibly tempting and irresistible dish. You’ll need pasta, ricotta cheese, broccoli, spinach, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. The best part? You can easily customize this recipe to your taste by making a few ingredient substitutions.
- 8 ounces – Pasta (your choice of short, tubular variety)
- 1 cup – Whole milk ricotta cheese
- 2 cups – Broccoli florets, chopped
- 2 cups – Fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 3 cloves – Garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons – Olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon – Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon – Ground black pepper
Ingredient Substitutions
- Broccoli: Swap in roasted cauliflower or brussels sprouts (they’ll add a delicious, caramelized flavor)
- Pasta: Use any short, tubular pasta like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli (they’ll hold the creamy ricotta sauce beautifully)
How to Make Skillet Ricotta Pasta with Roasted Broccoli and Spinach Recipe
Get ready to transform your kitchen into a flavor paradise with this epic recipe. Let’s break it down, step by step.
Step 1: Prep Work
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Chop the broccoli into bite-sized florets, mince the garlic, and get your pasta water boiling.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Toss the broccoli with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper, then roast it for 15-20 minutes, until it’s deliciously tender and caramelized. While the broccoli is roasting, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta, but reserve a cup of the starchy cooking water.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
In a large skillet, combine the cooked pasta, ricotta cheese, and a splash of the reserved cooking water. Stir to create a creamy, dreamy sauce. Then, add the roasted broccoli and fresh spinach, and toss everything together until the spinach is just wilted. Serve immediately, and get ready for the ultimate food explosion!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- More Veggies: Try swapping in different roasted veggies, like cauliflower or mushrooms, for an extra nutritional boost.
- Extra Flavor: Stir in a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or a dash of red pepper flakes for an extra flavor kick.
- Richer Sauce: For an even creamier, more indulgent sauce, stir in a little heavy cream or a pat of butter.
- Protein Addition: Feel free to add grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or crumbled Italian sausage for a heartier meal.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: a fresh green salad, crusty garlic bread, or a sprinkle of toasted breadcrumbs.
Storage: Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It reheats beautifully in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Make-Ahead: You can prep the roasted broccoli and cooked pasta up to 3 days in advance, then simply reheat and assemble when you’re ready to serve.
Nutrition Information
This epic dish is not only incredibly delicious, but it’s also packed with nutrients. The ricotta cheese provides a generous serving of protein, while the broccoli and spinach deliver a massive dose of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Plus, the whole-grain pasta gives you a satisfying serving of complex carbs to fuel your body. It’s a truly nourishing and satisfying meal that will leave you feeling energized and amazing.
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Protein: 22 g
- Carbs: 53 g
- Fat: 16 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! This recipe works great with any short, tubular pasta, like penne, rigatoni, or even fusilli.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
While this dish is best enjoyed fresh, you can certainly prep the components in advance. Roast the broccoli and cook the pasta up to 3 days ahead, then simply reheat and assemble when you’re ready to serve.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this Skillet Ricotta Pasta is a delicious vegetarian option. Just be sure to use a plant-based ricotta cheese if you want to keep it vegan.
Can I add protein to this dish?
Definitely! Grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or even crumbled Italian sausage would all be incredible additions to this epic recipe.
How spicy is this dish?
This recipe is fairly mild, but you can easily amp up the heat by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper.
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Skillet Ricotta Pasta with Roasted Broccoli and Spinach
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Mains
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Skillet Ricotta Pasta with Roasted Broccoli and Spinach is a creamy, delicious dish that combines the richness of ricotta cheese with the freshness of roasted vegetables. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
8 oz pasta
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups broccoli florets
2 cups fresh spinach
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss broccoli florets with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes.
3. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.
4. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté garlic until fragrant.
5. Add the cooked pasta, ricotta cheese, and roasted broccoli to the skillet; stir to combine.
6. Fold in fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
7. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
For added flavor, consider adding lemon zest or fresh herbs.
This dish can be made vegetarian by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: pasta, ricotta, broccoli, spinach, skillet