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20-Minute Creamy Lemon Parmesan Pasta

A close-up shot of perfectly twirled creamy lemon pasta coated in a rich, yellow sauce and sprinkled with black pepper.
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Make this bright, zesty, and velvety lemon pasta sauce in under 20 minutes using simple pantry ingredients. This recipe achieves a silky texture without heavy cream, making it a perfect quick weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces spaghetti or linguine
  • 1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup reserved starchy pasta water
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve at least 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta.
  2. While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  3. Reduce the heat to low. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Whisk briefly to combine.
  4. Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet. Toss to coat.
  5. Remove the skillet from the heat. Gradually sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese while tossing the pasta continuously. The residual heat and the starch in the water will emulsify the cheese and butter into a creamy sauce. Add more pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, if the sauce seems too thick or dry.
  6. Stir in the black pepper and red pepper flakes, if using.
  7. Serve immediately with extra grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • The key to the silky sauce is using hot, starchy pasta water. This liquid helps the fat and cheese bind together.
  • Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the brightest flavor. Bottled juice changes the taste.
  • If you prefer a richer sauce, you can substitute 2 tablespoons of the butter with 2 tablespoons of cream cheese or ricotta, added with the Parmesan.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mistyplate.com/creamy-lemon-pasta-recipe-20-min/