Creamy Lemon Pasta Recipe
A luscious and tangy creamy lemon pasta recipe featuring tender linguine enveloped in a rich butter and parmesan cream sauce, brightened with fresh lemon zest and juice. Perfect for a quick yet elegant weeknight dinner or a delightful meal with friends.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling and Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz linguine or fettuccine
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Optional Toppings
- Red pepper flakes
- Fresh basil leaves
- Grilled shrimp
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil linguine or fettuccine in salted water until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water for later use.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add cream: Lower the heat and slowly stir in the heavy cream. Let it simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Add lemon: Stir in the lemon juice and zest. Keep the heat low and stir continuously to prevent the cream from curdling while combining the flavors.
- Toss pasta: Add the drained pasta and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss and stir carefully until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy lemon sauce.
- Melt cheese and season: Mix in the freshly grated parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Season the sauce generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve: Plate the pasta hot, and garnish with optional toppings such as red pepper flakes for heat, fresh basil for aroma, or grilled shrimp for protein and an extra layer of flavor.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and help the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Use freshly grated parmesan for best melting and flavor.
- Adjust lemon juice and zest according to taste preference for tartness.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- This recipe can be made gluten-free by substituting gluten-free pasta.
- Add protein options like grilled chicken or shrimp to make it a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: creamy lemon pasta, lemon pasta recipe, easy pasta sauce, quick dinner, italian pasta, lemon garlic pasta
Find it online: https://servedbynora.com/creamy-lemon-pasta-recipe/
