Description
Bright and flavorful lemon pasta with a creamy butter sauce, Parmesan cheese, and a hint of garlic. Ready in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound spaghetti (or your favorite pasta shape)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- Optional: Cooked shrimp, chicken, or vegetables to add protein and flavor
- Optional: 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/4 cup of the pasta water before draining. Drain the pasta well and set aside.
- Make the Lemon Butter Sauce: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and sauté for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer for a minute or two to slightly thicken. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add the lemon juice and lemon zest. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the lemon butter sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. Continue to toss the pasta and sauce together for a minute or two, allowing the pasta to absorb the flavors. If you’re adding cooked shrimp, chicken, or vegetables, add them to the skillet now and toss to combine.
- Serve: Serve the lemon pasta immediately. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
- Don’t overcook the pasta.
- Adjust the amount of lemon juice and zest to your liking.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Add cooked shrimp, chicken, or vegetables for a more substantial meal.
- Use different types of pasta.
- Add a splash of white wine to the sauce. A dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio adds a layer of complexity to the sauce. Add it after the garlic and before the heavy cream.
- Toast the Parmesan cheese for extra flavor. Before adding the Parmesan cheese to the sauce, toast it in a dry skillet over medium heat until it’s lightly golden brown. This will enhance the nutty flavor of the cheese.
- Make it vegan. Substitute the butter with olive oil or vegan butter, the heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream, and the Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast.
- Make it gluten-free. Use gluten-free pasta. There are many good gluten-free pasta options available these days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes