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Easy Creamy Lemon Garlic Parmesan Pasta

A close-up of a serving of creamy lemon pasta, garnished generously with bright yellow lemon zest and chopped green parsley.
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This recipe makes a bright, zesty, and velvety lemon pasta sauce in under 20 minutes. It uses simple ingredients like Parmesan cheese and fresh lemon juice for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve at least 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  3. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  4. Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Stir constantly until the mixture just begins to simmer lightly.
  5. Remove the skillet from the heat. Whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  6. Season the sauce with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated. If the sauce seems too thick, add another splash of reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Serve immediately. Top each serving with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For a richer sauce, substitute cream cheese for half of the heavy cream.
  • This dish pairs well with grilled shrimp or cooked chicken breast for added protein.
  • Use high-quality Parmesan cheese for the best flavor in this simple Italian dinner.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookincorner.com/creamy-lemon-pasta-recipe-easy-quick/