Description
A creamy and zesty lemon garlic sauce perfect for elevating your pasta dishes with fresh lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and aromatic garlic.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- 4 garlic cloves, grated with a microplane
- 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 2 cups half and half (not fat free)
- Zest of 1 lemon, about 1 tsp.
- 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 Tbsp. finely chopped parsley
- Kosher salt and fresh black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Melt Butter and Cook Garlic: In a 12-inch non-stick skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the grated garlic and cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Add Flour and Cook: Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute or until lightly golden, stirring constantly to eliminate the raw flour taste without burning it.
- Incorporate Half and Half: Gradually add the half and half while stirring. Season with kosher salt and fresh black pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the sauce thickens, about 1 to 2 minutes, whisking out any lumps to ensure a smooth texture. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon.
- Add Lemon and Cheese: Whisk in the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, allowing the cheese to melt smoothly into the sauce.
- Serve Immediately: Use the sauce right away over cooked pasta or as a base for other dishes.
Notes
- Use a microplane to grate the garlic and Parmesan cheese for a smoother sauce with better flavor and meltability.
- This recipe yields about 2 cups of sauce, enough for 8 ounces of dry pasta; adjust quantities accordingly for larger servings.
- The sauce thickens as it cools; thin it with white wine, reserved pasta water, milk, or half and half when reheating leftovers.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
