Description
This lemon butter pasta is a creamy, bright, and comforting dish made with fresh lemon zest, garlic, butter, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s the perfect Mediterranean-inspired weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 400 g spaghetti or linguine
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Zest of 1 large lemon
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
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 the same pot over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in lemon zest.
- Return pasta to the pot and add lemon juice.
- Add reserved pasta water gradually while tossing.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until sauce becomes smooth and glossy.
- Season with salt and black pepper.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce. Add extra pasta water for a silkier texture. Serve immediately for best flavor and consistency.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 390mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 45mg