Description
Lemon pasta is a quick, creamy, and refreshing dish that combines the zesty flavor of lemon with the richness of butter and Parmesan. It’s easy to prepare, perfect for weeknights, and ideal for a refreshing meal that’s not too heavy.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz pasta (about 225 g)
- 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
- 2 tbsp butter (30 g)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (30 ml)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 g)
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain the pasta.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Zest the lemon directly into the skillet, then add the lemon juice and stir well to combine.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat in the lemon sauce. Gradually add reserved pasta water as needed, stirring to create a creamy sauce.
- Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta, tossing to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra lemon zest or Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- For a richer sauce, add extra butter or a splash of cream.
- For a vegan version, substitute the butter and Parmesan with plant-based alternatives.
- To make it spicier, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg