Lemon Butter Pasta Sauce Recipe
User Reviews
5.0
114 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
5 mins
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Total Time
20 mins
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Servings
4 -6 servings
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Calories
734 kcal
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Course
Side Dish, Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Lemon Butter Pasta Sauce Recipe
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Lemon Butter Pasta Sauce (Pasta al Limone) is a silky lemon sauce bursting with fresh flavors and rich parmigiano cheese to coat the pasta perfectly.
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Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti or pasta of choice
- 1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- ½ cup grated pecorino romano cheese
- 4 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice about 1 large lemon
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoons good quality butter
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- Chopped fresh basil or fresh parsley optional
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Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk parmigiano, pecorino cheese, and 4 tablespoons of lemon juice to make a paste. Gradually add the oil while constantly whisking until smooth. Whisk in the lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a generous salt (it should taste like the sea!).
- Cook pasta, occasionally stirring with your favorite pasta utensil, for 8 minutes or until al dente according to the package directions.
- While the pasta is cooking, finish the sauce. In a large skillet on medium-high heat, melt the butter, and reduce the heat to low.
- Drain pasta and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water. Add pasta to the pan with butter sauce on low heat. Toss to coat. Add the cheese and lemon mixture to the pasta. Toss to coat and add pasta water to the spaghetti. Keep stirring. It will take a few minutes to thicken and create a silky sauce. Turn off the heat and serve hot.
- Toss in torn basil or chopped parsley if desired. Serve with additional Parmigiano on top. Enjoy!
Notes
- Cook Pasta Perfectly. Make sure to salt the water to flavor the pasta from the inside out. Only cook until al dente. Read: How Long to Boil Spaghetti Pasta Perfectly Every Time.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmigiano. It helps to grate the cheese finely, so it mixes well with the lemon juice and melts nicely into the sauce. I wrote an entire article on why using freshly grated cheese makes a difference.
- Reserve Pasta Water. Save a cup of the pasta water to make the sauce extra creamy without using cream. After the pasta is cooked, gently toss the sauce and pasta water in the warm pan and watch the magic unfold! This is an Italian secret.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
734kcal
(37%)
Carbohydrates
87g
(29%)
Protein
28g
(56%)
Fat
30g
(46%)
Saturated Fat
15g
(75%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
11g
Trans Fat
0.5g
Cholesterol
60mg
(20%)
Sodium
938mg
(39%)
Potassium
310mg
(9%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
600IU
(12%)
Vitamin C
7mg
(8%)
Calcium
460mg
(46%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4-6 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 734 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 734kcal | 37% |
| Carbohydrates | 87g | 29% |
| Protein | 28g | 56% |
| Fat | 30g | 46% |
| Saturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Trans Fat | 0.5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 60mg | 20% |
| Sodium | 938mg | 39% |
| Potassium | 310mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 600IU | 12% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 460mg | 46% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
114 reviews
Excellent
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