Description
This creamy lemon garlic pasta is a quick and delicious dish that comes together in no time, perfect for any weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ – ½ tsp salt
- 50 g parmesan, finely grated
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- Zest of a lemon
- 200 g dried pasta of your choice or 300 g fresh pasta
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of heavily salted water until al dente. Before draining, reserve a cup of the pasta water and set it aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and let it gently sizzle for about a minute, being careful not to let it brown.
- Lower the heat slightly and pour in the cream. Bring it to a very gentle simmer and cook for about a minute.
- Add the Parmesan in a few additions, whisking between each one so it melts smoothly into the cream. Keep the heat low and maintain only a gentle simmer throughout.
- Season with salt and pepper, then let the sauce bubble softly for a minute or two until it thickens slightly.
- Stir in the lemon juice quickly, then add the cooked pasta directly to the pan. Toss well and let it simmer gently in the sauce for about a minute. If needed, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve immediately, finished with extra grated Parmesan, lemon zest, and a generous crack of black pepper on top.
Notes
- This dish can be served with a side salad for a complete meal.
- Feel free to add cooked chicken or shrimp for added protein.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 80mg