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–+ servings
Creamy Lemon Pasta

Creamy Lemon Pasta

This creamy lemon pasta is a delightful dish showcasing creamy, vibrant, and zesty flavors with a refreshing lemon cream sauce.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 3 people
Calories 737 kcal

Equipment

  • Pot
  • large skillet

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces pappardelle pasta or your favorite pasta
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves fresh garlic minced
  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice plus more to taste
  • 1 lemon zest of
  • 1 cup heavy cream plus more to taste, do NOT use milk or half-and-half
  • ½ cup freshly grated parmesan plus garnish
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • Fresh chives chopped for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Cook the pappardelle pasta until al dente in a pot of generously salted water, according to instructions. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water for later. Drain, rinse with cold water (to stop the cooking process) and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, melt the butter and sauté the minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and heavy cream. Simmer over low heat for about 1 minute or so, stirring until slightly thickened.
  • Then, add the freshly grated cheese and stir until combined and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add the cooked pasta into the sauce and toss until coated and creamy. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water, plus more as needed, until the consistency is to your liking. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cooks.
  • At this point, you can add more heavy cream or an extra squeeze of lemon juice to taste. Finish with chopped chives and more lemon zest on top. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Notes

Use heavy cream for this recipe. Do NOT use milk (it will curdle) or half-and-half (too thin). Do not overcook the pasta because it will finish cooking in the sauce. Use fresh lemons and freshly grated parmesan cheese for best texture and flavor. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat with a splash of heavy cream and butter.

Nutrition

Serving: 3peopleCalories: 737kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 18gFat: 48gSaturated Fat: 29gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 198mgSodium: 331mgPotassium: 317mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1708IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 234mgIron: 2mg
Keyword comfort food, cream sauce, Creamy Lemon Pasta, Italian recipe, pasta, quick dinner
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