Roasted Garlic Spaghetti with Kale & Ricotta

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. For more information please visit our Privacy Policy

This roasted garlic spaghetti is creamy from the ricotta and full of freshness from the lemon zest. It’s so easy to make this healthy and flavourful weeknight pasta.

I am loving all the flavours in this dish 😍

Simple pasta dishes are my life. Especially when they contain all the incredible flavours featured in this beautiful bowl of goodness. 

They include: ricotta, olives, capers, kale and lemon zest with a healthy hit of chilli flakes. It’s the perfect spring time pasta with plenty of bright and zingy flavours!

And add to all that deliciousness one key ingredient which makes this pasta unforgettable and that is roasted garlic. It’s stirred through the ricotta before tossing with the pasta and it gives the most incredible umami flavour, I just cannot get enough.

Why we love this roasted garlic spaghetti:

• This dish is vegetarian with plenty of healthy goodness from the kale, olives and lemon
• It’s got a huge hit of roasted garlic flavour which keeps you going back for more
• It’s so easy to make this spaghetti dish that you can easily make it on a weeknight
• You can easily switch out the ingredients in this dish according to what you have on hand which makes it a great dish to make when you’re trying to use up any veg

Roasted Garlic Spaghetti Ingredients:

• Garlic: Start off by roasted a whole bulb of garlic to add to the pasta 
• Spaghetti: Or use another cut of pasta if you prefer
• Kale: Gives so much crunch and texture
• Olives: For that saltiness
• Chilli Flakes: Adjust the quantity according to how spicy you like it
• Lemon Zest: This adds so much freshness to the dish
• Ricotta: Tossed through the pasta with the help of a little pasta water
• Capers: For an extra brininess 

Roasted Garlic Spaghetti Instructions:

1. Roast the garlic: Cut the top off a bulb of garlic. Place the bulb on a piece of foil, drizzle the exposed cloves of garlic with olive oil and wrap the bulb in the foil. Roast for 40 minutes.
2. Cook the spaghetti: According to packet instructions then reserve a mugful of pasta water.
3. Finish the pasta: Heat a little olive oil and fry the kale for a couple of minutes until bright green. Using tongs lift the spaghetti into the pan with the kale. Mix the ricotta with the roasted garlic and stir though the spaghetti, add the olives, capers, chilli flakes and lemon zest.

Equipment you need to make this recipe…

Expert tips for making this roasted garlic spaghetti:

• Start off by roasting the garlic, it takes about 40 minutes to get the garlic soft enough to mash with the ricotta
• When the garlic is nearly ready put your water on to boil and cook the spaghetti according to packet instructions while the garlic finishes cooking
• Pasta water added to the pasta and ricotta helps to create a sauce so make sure you don’t skip this step
• You can roast the garlic ahead of time to help make this quicker to prep on a weeknight, just store in an airtight container in the fridge until you need it
• If you don’t like spice you can leave out the red pepper flakes
• For an extra cheesy hit serve topped with a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese
• This dish tastes great finished with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil 
• If you’re missing the meat you could add a roasted chicken breast or some torn prosciutto

Is garlic powder good in spaghetti?

I know it can be tempting to cut corners and use garlic powder instead of the real thing but I highly recommend using fresh garlic for this recipe, it has so much more flavour and doesn’t have that slightly artificial taste. If you don’t have time to roast the garlic then you can fry some crushed garlic but it won’t have the same rich roasty flavour.

Want more? Try these other pasta recipes!

• Creamy Spinach Artichoke Pasta
• 15 Minute Spicy Salmon Linguine
• Spinach and Sun Dried Tomato Turkey Meatball Pasta
• 15 Minute Tuna Pasta with Pangrattato
• Scallion Yoghurt Rigatoni
• Roasted Cauliflower Pasta with Zingy Dressing
• 15 Minute Mushroom Tagliatelle
• Sausage Pasta with Peppers and Tomato Sauce

Roasted Garlic Spaghetti with Kale & Ricotta

This roasted garlic spaghetti is creamy from the ricotta and full of freshness from the lemon zest. It's so easy to make this healthy and flavourful weeknight pasta.

5 from 6 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 573kcal

Author: Amy Fulwood

Ingredients

• 1 bulb Garlic
• Olive Oil
• 400 g Spaghetti
• 200 g Kale
• 150 g Olives chopped
• 1 tbsp Chilli Flakes
• 1 Lemon zested
• 250 g Ricotta
• 3 tbsp Capers
• Salt and Pepper

UK Measures - US Measures

Instructions

• Heat the oven to 180°C/360°F. Cut the top off the bulb of garlic, drizzle with olive oil and wrap in foil. Place in the oven for 20 minutes. When it's cooked squeeze out the cloves of garlic and mash with a fork. Mix with the ricotta.
• Cook the spaghetti according to packet instructions. Reserve a mugful of pasta water.
• Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Add the kale and saute for a few minutes. Using tongs lift the spaghetti directly from the water into the kale and toss together. Add the chilli flakes, lemon zest, ricotta, olives and a few tablespoons of pasta water and toss everything together again. Serve topped with a drizzle of olive oil and plenty of salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts

Roasted Garlic Spaghetti with Kale & Ricotta

Amount Per Serving

Calories 573 Calories from Fat 144

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 16g 25%

Saturated Fat 6g 30%

Cholesterol 31mg 10%

Sodium 872mg 36%

Potassium 626mg 18%

Total Carbohydrates 86g 29%

Dietary Fiber 6g 24%

Sugars 3g

Protein 23g 46%

Vitamin A 120.3%

Vitamin C 90.4%

Calcium 26.1%

Iron 17.1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notes

Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the ingredients used.

Did you make this recipe?Tag @amycookreport on Instagram and hashtag it #thecookreport!

Like the look of this recipe? Make sure you pin it for later!