Description
A quick and zesty Italian-inspired pasta sauce made with lemon, butter, and garlic. It’s bright, creamy, and perfect for busy weeknights, using simple ingredients to create a rich and satisfying dish in under 15 minutes.
Ingredients
8 oz (225g) pasta (such as spaghetti or fettuccine)
4 tbsp (60g) unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional for extra richness)
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Cook for another 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
Drain the cooked pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water.
Add the hot pasta to the lemon-butter garlic sauce and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
Stir in the Parmesan cheese, if using, and toss to combine. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
For extra freshness, use freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest instead of bottled or pre-zested.
Can be made vegan by substituting butter with a plant-based alternative and omitting the Parmesan.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 80mg