Creamy Roast Garlic and Lemon Pasta Sauce Recipe
This Creamy Roast Garlic and Lemon Pasta Sauce recipe combines the rich flavors of roasted garlic with zesty lemon and creamy Parmesan for a delicious and comforting pasta dish. Perfectly paired with your choice of pasta, this sauce is simple to prepare and packed with vibrant, fresh flavors that elevate any meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 bulb garlic, roasted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta of your choice
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Roast the Garlic: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wrap the garlic bulb in aluminum foil and roast for about 30-35 minutes until golden and soft. Allow it to cool, then squeeze the cloves into a bowl.
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the roasted garlic and mash it into a paste using a fork. Cook for about 2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Add Cream: Pour in the heavy cream while stirring until well combined. Let the mixture heat through for 3-4 minutes, avoiding boiling.
- Include Lemon: Stir in lemon juice and lemon zest. Season with salt and black pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes to develop flavors.
- Mix in Parmesan: Gradually fold in grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until melted and incorporated.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat each piece. Adjust consistency by adding reserved pasta water little by little if sauce is too thick.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- To roast garlic faster, you can halve the bulb and wrap with foil, but whole bulb roasting enhances sweetness.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and improve coating on pasta.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting and flavor.
- For a lighter version, substitute cream with half-and-half or milk, but sauce will be less rich.
- Fresh parsley adds brightness; consider basil or chives as alternatives.
- This sauce pairs well with any pasta type, especially fettuccine, linguine, or penne.
Keywords: roast garlic pasta sauce, creamy pasta sauce, lemon garlic pasta, homemade pasta sauce, easy pasta sauce, vegetarian pasta recipe
