Spinach and Ricotta Pancakes with Tomato Sauce
Spinach and Ricotta Pancakes with Tomato Sauce combine fluffy ricotta pancakes packed with nutritious spinach and topped with a rich, tangy tomato sauce. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a light dinner, delivering vibrant flavors, creamy textures, and wholesome ingredients that everyone will enjoy.
- Author: Julia
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Pancakes
- 1 cup fresh spinach, washed and finely chopped
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (substitute chickpea or oat flour for gluten-free)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing and frying)
Tomato Sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) good quality canned tomatoes (or 2 cups diced fresh tomatoes)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, optional for garnish
Optional Garnishes and Variations
- Fresh basil, parsley, or grated parmesan cheese for topping
- Red chili flakes for spicy tomato sauce
- Toasted pine nuts or finely chopped walnuts for batter
- Parmesan or feta cheese added to ricotta mixture
- Prep the Spinach and Ricotta Mixture: Wash and finely chop the fresh spinach. Lightly sauté in olive oil until just wilted, then let cool. In a bowl, mix the ricotta with the cooled spinach, season with salt and pepper, and set aside.
- Make the Pancake Batter: Whisk the eggs in another bowl until fluffy. Gently stir in the flour until fully combined. Fold in the spinach and ricotta mixture, ensuring the batter is thick but scoopable.
- Cook the Tomato Sauce: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant, then add canned tomatoes, breaking them up with a spoon. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally until thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh basil or parsley if desired.
- Cook the Pancakes: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat with a bit of olive oil. Drop spoonfuls of batter onto the pan, shaping into small pancakes. Cook about 3 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve with Tomato Sauce: Plate the pancakes and generously spoon the warm tomato sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh herbs or parmesan if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Prep spinach ahead to save time on the cooking day.
- Keep batter thick to ensure pancakes hold together well while frying.
- Use fresh tomatoes instead of canned for a fresher tomato sauce.
- Cook pancakes on medium-low heat to avoid burning and ensure thorough cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan; give pancakes room to cook evenly.
- For added texture, mix toasted pine nuts or finely chopped walnuts into the batter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 3 pancakes with sauce)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Spinach pancakes, ricotta pancakes, tomato sauce, vegetarian, quick recipe, healthy pancakes, gluten free option