Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta (Pasta al Limone)
This Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta is a quick and easy weeknight dinner infused with fresh lemon zest, garlic, and cream for the most luscious Pasta al Limone you’ll ever make.
Equipment
- 1 Mixing bowl Large
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti or other shapes
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 5-8 cloves garlic minced
- ¼-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes use more if you prefer it spicier
- 2 lemons 1 peeled with peeler, 1 finely zested
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoon grated parmesan plus more for serving
- kosher salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Instructions
- Bring a big pot of salted water to boil. Add your spaghetti and cook till al dente per the package. Keep 1 cup pasta water and drain the rest.
- While the pasta cooks, melt 3 tablespoons butter with 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Stir it up and cook till garlic’s fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Stir in both lemon zest types, letting their oils pop. Pour in lemon juice and bring to gentle simmer.
- Lower heat to slow release and add heavy cream. Stir constantly for 2 to 3 minutes till sauce thickens a bit.
- Mix grated parmesan until melted and smooth. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to your taste.
- Add the drained pasta to sauce and toss gently. Pour in reserved pasta water little by little till you hit your favorite sauce consistency.
- Serve it hot with extra parmesan and lemon peel as garnish if you want. Get ready to enjoy your dang good pasta.
Notes
Serve warm. Double up for make-ahead meals. Use pasta water to adjust sauce thickness when reheating.