Description
Creamy Lemon Pasta is a bright and comforting dish made with fresh lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. This easy 30-minute pasta recipe delivers a perfect balance of rich and fresh flavors, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or elegant gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 400 g spaghetti or fettuccine
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente.
- Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Melt butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and cook gently for 1 minute.
- Pour in heavy cream and simmer for 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese.
- Add cooked pasta and toss to coat evenly.
- Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water.
- Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Garnish and serve.
Notes
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor. Do not overheat after adding Parmesan to prevent separation. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of cream or milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 75mg