Lemon Pasta
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
20 mins
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Servings
2
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Lemon Pasta
Description
Cooked al dente spaghetti is transferred to a skillet with butter melted and infused with lemon zest and garlic. This mixture creates a fragrant base before tossing the pasta in it. Adding reserved starchy pasta water helps thicken the sauce and coat the noodles evenly. Parmesan cheese contributes savory depth and creamy texture, while fresh lemon juice brightens the flavor. Salt and pepper season the final dish, with parsley or basil added for fresh herbal notes.
The dish brings together tender pasta with a glossy, light sauce that is both tangy from lemon and rich from butter and cheese. It's a straightforward preparation that showcases the balance of citrus and dairy.
Serve the pasta with additional Parmesan for sprinkling at the table. It pairs well with simple salads or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal. The sauce consistency can be adjusted with pasta water as needed to avoid clumping and maintain smoothness.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- 4 tablespoons butter sliced into pats, unsalted
- 2 tablespoons lemon plus more for garnish, zest
- 2 garlic minced, cloves
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese plus more for serving, freshly grated
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice plus more to taste, fresh
- salt sea salt; freshly ground black pepper
- black pepper sea salt; freshly ground black pepper
- parsley for garnish, chopped fresh, or basil leaves
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare the pasta according to the package instructions, cooking until al dente. In the final minutes of cooking, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water.
- A few minutes before the pasta is ready, add the butter to a large skillet over medium heat. Heat the butter until it foams, then reduce the heat to low and add the lemon zest and garlic. Cook, stirring, for 1 to 2 minutes, or until fragrant. Remove from the heat if your pasta is still cooking.
- When the pasta is al dente, use tongs to transfer it from the pot to the skillet with the butter mixture. Add ½ cup of the reserved pasta water and cook over low heat, tossing until a sauce forms and lightly coats the pasta. Add half the cheese and toss to incorporate. Add the lemon juice and remaining cheese and toss again, cooking until the sauce is smooth. If it becomes too thick or clumpy, add more pasta water as needed to loosen it. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice.
- Garnish with more lemon zest and fresh parsley. Serve with more cheese.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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