Description
Easy Creamy Lemon Pasta is a quick, zesty pasta dish with a rich, silky sauce made with fresh lemon juice, zest, and Parmesan, perfect for a light yet satisfying meal ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 fresh lemons (juice and zest)
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra lemon zest, chopped fresh parsley, and more Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Add grilled or sautéed shrimp for extra protein.
- Mix in baby spinach or arugula for added greens.
- Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts for texture.
- Use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta if preferred.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.