Make this bright, zesty lemon pasta in just 15 minutes using only one pot for fast cleanup. This is an easy weeknight meal perfect for busy days.
Author:purejoyalex
Prep Time:5 min
Cook Time:10 min
Total Time:15 min
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Dinner
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:Italian-American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
12 oz spaghetti or linguine
4 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Place the pasta, water, and salt into a large pot or Dutch oven.
Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Cook according to package directions, usually about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking.
When the pasta is nearly done, stir in the olive oil and minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant.
Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, and black pepper. Stir continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes.
If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
For a richer flavor, use fresh lemon juice instead of bottled.
If you do not have heavy cream, you can substitute it with 1/2 cup of whole milk and an extra tablespoon of butter, stirring well to emulsify.
This recipe is a great base; add cooked shrimp or shredded rotisserie chicken for a non-vegetarian option.