Description
This Creamy Lemon Pasta is a delightful and easy-to-make dish featuring al dente pasta tossed in a luscious lemon-infused cream sauce with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. The combination of tangy lemon zest and juice with the richness of heavy cream creates a perfectly balanced and comforting meal that can be prepared in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces pasta
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining the pasta, reserve about a cup of the pasta cooking water to adjust the sauce consistency later if needed.
- Drain Pasta: Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Make Sauce Base: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Let the mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend flavors and thicken slightly.
- Add Lemon: Stir in lemon zest and lemon juice for a fresh citrus flavor.
- Season Sauce: Add salt and black pepper to taste, adjusting seasoning as needed.
- Add Cheese: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and the sauce is creamy and thickened.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to loosen it to your desired consistency.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Finish with Parsley: Stir in chopped fresh parsley and toss again to combine all ingredients well.
- Serve: Serve immediately garnished with extra parsley or Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as it helps the sauce adhere better.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best melting and flavor.
- Be careful not to burn garlic as it can turn bitter.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the creamy texture at its best.
