Description
A quick and indulgent creamy lemon pasta dish ready in just twenty minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces spaghetti or any pasta of your choice
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
- Optional: chicken or shrimp for added protein
- Optional: cherry tomatoes, diced
- Optional: spinach or arugula
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- While the pasta is cooking, grab a large skillet and heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about a minute.
- Add the lemon zest and juice to the skillet and stir everything together, allowing it to simmer for about 2 minutes.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir well to combine. Allow it to cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Once your pasta is ready, drain it (reserving a cup of pasta water) and toss it into the skillet, mixing thoroughly.
- To finish, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Adjust the sauce’s consistency with reserved pasta water if needed and season with salt and pepper.
Notes
For lighter versions, swap spaghetti for zucchini noodles or use low-fat milk instead of heavy cream. Add vegetables for extra nutrients.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg