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20-Minute Creamy Lemon Pasta Recipe

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4.2 from 11 reviews

A quick and delicious 20-minute creamy lemon pasta featuring tender pappardelle tossed in a luscious sauce made from butter, olive oil, garlic, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and fresh lemon zest and juice. This pasta dish is perfectly seasoned with salt and pepper, garnished with fresh parsley, and ideal for an easy yet elegant meal.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1 pound pappardelle pasta
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • Kosher salt (for pasta water)

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese (about 3 oz.)
  • Zest and juice of 2 lemons
  • Fresh cracked pepper
  • Fresh chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 2-4 tablespoons of Kosher salt. Cook 1 pound of pappardelle according to package directions until just al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. Prepare Garlic Base: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently to release aroma without browning.
  3. Add Cream and Simmer: Whisk in 2 cups heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Continue to cook over medium-low heat for a few minutes until the cream slightly thickens, stirring occasionally.
  4. Incorporate Cheese and Lemon: Remove pan from heat. Stir in 1 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese along with the zest and juice of 2 lemons until cheese melts and sauce becomes smooth.
  5. Season Sauce: Taste and season the sauce with additional salt and freshly cracked pepper as needed to balance the flavors.
  6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the sauce along with a splash or two of reserved pasta water. Cook over medium heat, stirring gently, until warmed through and the sauce coats the noodles evenly.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Be sure to salt your pasta water generously; this is your first seasoning and greatly enhances the flavor profile of the dish.
  • Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency—its starch helps the sauce cling beautifully to the pasta.
  • If the sauce thickens too much upon cooling, gently loosen it with a splash of heavy cream or pasta water when reheating.
  • This recipe yields a large portion, perfect for family meals or leftovers that store well in the fridge for up to a week.
  • To reduce quantity, simply halve the ingredients accordingly.

Find it online: https://flavorspath.com/20-minute-creamy-lemon-pasta-recipe/