5.0 from 3 votes
Creamy Lemon Pasta Recipe
Lemon Pasta, or pasta al limone in Italian, is a simple pasta dish that's packed with fresh, zesty flavors and made in a creamy lemon butter sauce with fresh basil leaves and Parmesan cheese.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 489 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 12 ounces dried pasta (linguine, bucatini, spaghetti, farfalle, etc.)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons salted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream (8 ounces)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Zest of 1 lemon (about 1 Tablespoon)
- 3 Tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese + additional for serving
- ¾ cup sliced or torn fresh basil leaves + additional for serving
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper + additional for serving
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water that's boiled, until al dente, according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil. Once hot, add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add cream, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to the pan and reduce heat to medium. Bring to a simmer, then add lemon zest and juice. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until all the cheese is melted.
- Add cooked pasta and fresh basil leaves, tossing to coat. Add as much pasta water as you would like to get a nice silky sauce, usually between ½ and 1 cup. Cook for 1 more minute, then remove from heat. The sauce will thicken slightly as it sits.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover lemon pasta in an airtight container or in a dish covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Simply add a little water or milk, stir it, and reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave. You can add some water or milk to get the right consistency again if needed after stirring.
Nutrition Information
Calories
489kcal
(24%)
Carbohydrates
45g
(15%)
Protein
15g
(30%)
Fat
28g
(43%)
Saturated Fat
15g
(75%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
9g
Trans Fat
0.2g
Cholesterol
66mg
(22%)
Sodium
507mg
(21%)
Potassium
195mg
(6%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
856IU
(17%)
Vitamin C
3mg
(3%)
Calcium
240mg
(24%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 489
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 489kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 45g | 15% |
| Protein | 15g | 30% |
| Fat | 28g | 43% |
| Saturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 66mg | 22% |
| Sodium | 507mg | 21% |
| Potassium | 195mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 856IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 240mg | 24% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.