Creamy Lemon Pasta
Bright, silky, and beautifully creamy, this lemon pasta is one of those dishes that tastes elegant but comes together fast. The sauce is light, fresh, and packed with lemony richness!
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ to ¾ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 to 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Reserved pasta water
- Optional for topping: Red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, and highly recommended extra Parmesan;)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Before draining, reserve about three quarters of a cup of pasta water.
- Melt the butter in a skillet over low heat. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant. (This should take about thirty seconds.)
- Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice. Add a small splash of the reserved pasta water to help everything blend smoothly.
- Add the parmesan gradually, stirring continuously. Keep the heat low so the cheese melts into a silky sauce and doesn’t get clumpy.
- Add the drained pasta directly into the pan. Toss gently, adding more pasta water as needed until the sauce becomes glossy and coats the pasta beautifully.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Tips & Variations
- Low heat is the secret to a smooth sauce.
- Fresh lemon juice makes all the difference!
- This pasta is excellent on its own, but it also pairs perfectly with shrimp, chicken, or salmon.
- If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of pasta water. If it feels too thin, stir in a bit more parmesan.
- Here are the interesting details on why you should never use pre-shredded cheese!
Love cozy pasta? Check out this Creamy Lemon Pasta with Crispy Bacon, this easy Shrimp Linguine with Garlic Butter, and this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta, this viral Marry Me Chicken, these Ultra-Crispy Oven Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs and this delightfully easy Cheesy Baked Macaroni with Beef! And if you’re in the mood for a simple one pot wonder meal?! This EPIC One Pot Lasagna dinner that’s ready in less than 27 minutes will absolutely become your new favorite busy-night dinner! And if you are a fan of Orzo, try this Easy Chicken Orzo (One-Pan, Creamy & Super Fast!!)
Want an easy and delicious dessert to make with this dinner? Try this viral Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Copy Cat recipe – it’s creamy, no-bake and ALWAYS a hit!
Love garlic? We triple-dog-dare you to click here.. 😉
