Description
Lemon Pasta is a simple, vibrant dish with tender pasta tossed in a creamy, zesty lemon sauce. Light, fresh, and ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or as a refreshing side to chicken or seafood.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces spaghetti or your favorite pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (to taste)
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in fresh lemon juice and lemon zest.
- Reduce heat to low and add heavy cream or half-and-half, whisking until smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat.
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and extra lemon zest. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Add cooked shrimp or chicken for extra protein.
- Sprinkle with red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
- Swap fresh basil for parsley for a different flavor.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg