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.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 489kcal
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 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.
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
Calories: 489kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 507mg | Potassium: 195mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 856IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 240mg | Iron: 1mg