Alpine Meadow Pasta with Lemon-Garlic

Name: Alpine Meadow Pasta with Lemon-Garlic
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 23 min
Yield: 3 servings
Cuisine: Swiss
Ingredients: 8 ounce penne pasta; 1 bunch fresh Swiss chard (large, stems removed, leaves chopped); 2 clove garlic (minced); 2 tablespoon olive oil; 0.25 cup pasta water (reserved from cooking pasta); 0.5 cup ricotta cheese; 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese (grated); 1 lemon zest (zest of 1 lemon); 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 0.5 teaspoon salt; 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

A vibrant and light pasta dish featuring tender Swiss chard, creamy ricotta, and a bright lemon-garlic sauce, perfect for a quick and satisfying vegetarian meal.

Prep: 8 min
Cook: 15 min
Total: 23 min
Servings: 3
Cuisine: Swiss
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: $1.30/serving

Dietary

Vegetarian
Nut-Free
Egg-Free
Pescatarian
High-Protein
Low-Sugar

Ingredients

8 ounce penne pasta
1 bunch fresh Swiss chard (large, stems removed, leaves chopped)
2 clove garlic (minced)
2 tablespoon olive oil
0.25 cup pasta water (reserved from cooking pasta)
0.5 cup ricotta cheese
0.25 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
1 lemon zest (zest of 1 lemon)
2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
0.5 teaspoon salt
0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Add chopped fresh Swiss chard to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes until wilted and tender. If the skillet seems dry, add a tablespoon of the reserved pasta water.
Drain the pasta. Add the drained pasta, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the skillet with the chard. Pour in the reserved pasta water.
Toss well to combine everything, ensuring the ricotta and pasta water create a light sauce that coats the pasta. Cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to heat through.
Serve immediately, with additional grated Parmesan cheese for sprinkling if desired.

Notes

You can add grilled chicken or white beans to this dish for extra protein. Adjust the amount of lemon juice to your preference for tanginess.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 480
Protein: 22 g
Carbohydrates: 54 g
Fat: 20 g
Fiber: 7 g
Sodium: 750 mg
Saturated Fat: 9 g
Sugar: 5 g
Cholesterol: 45 mg