Description
A vibrant and creamy Lemon Butter Garlic Pasta Sauce that combines the zest and juice of fresh lemon with rich butter, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, tossed with linguine or spaghetti for a quick and flavorful Italian-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta
- 300 g linguine or spaghetti
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 40 g unsalted butter
- 6 garlic cloves, finely sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon red chilli flakes
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 50 g grated Parmesan or veggie hard Italian cheese
- A handful freshly chopped parsley
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta al dente in salted boiling water according to the package instructions. Reserve 1-2 cups of pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Heat Oil and Butter: In a large pan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over low-medium heat and melt the butter in it.
- Sauté Garlic and Chilli: Stir in the finely sliced garlic and red chilli flakes. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant and lightly changes color, taking care not to burn it.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the pan. Toss thoroughly with tongs to coat the pasta in the buttery garlic sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce looks too thick.
- Add Lemon and Cheese: Stir in the lemon zest and juice, then sprinkle in the grated Parmesan. Toss well to combine everything evenly.
- Finish and Serve: Add the chopped parsley, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, topped with additional grated cheese and lemon zest if desired.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency; its starch helps bind the sauce to the pasta.
- Use fresh garlic sliced finely for best flavor and quick cooking.
- Substitute Parmesan with any hard Italian cheese if desired, or a vegetarian hard cheese for a vegetarian option.
- Add more chilli flakes for extra heat or omit for a milder dish.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for bright and fresh citrus flavor.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor as pasta tends to absorb the sauce over time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
