Description
Creamy Lemon Pasta is a zesty and rich dish that combines the flavors of lemon and Parmesan cheese with pasta for a delightful meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces spaghetti or fettuccine
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti or fettuccine according to package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- For added protein, consider adding grilled chicken or shrimp to the pasta.
- To make it lighter, substitute half of the heavy cream with low-fat milk or a plant-based cream alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 100mg