Lemony Dream Classic Pasta al Limone

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook: Craving Sunshine?

Ever get that hankering for something bright and cheerful? I do! This pasta al limone recipe is pure sunshine on a plate.

It's bursting with zesty lemon and creamy goodness. Honestly, one of my favourite easy pasta recipes and sure to be a hit in your home.

Brief Overview: Italian Comfort Food

This Italian pasta recipe is simple perfection. The origins are probably nonna's kitchen. It’s an easy pasta dish. You will need 25 minutes tops, and serves 4 hungry people.

Great served as part of Italian feast or a simple lunch.

Main Benefits: Hello Vitamin C!

Lemons are packed with vitamin C. This is a perfect weeknight pasta meal . What makes it special? It's quick, delicious, and surprisingly sophisticated.

I call this a family friendly meal because my kids absolutely loves it! We make it all the time!

Ready for the ingredients? Let's go.

Lemony Dream Classic Pasta al Limone Recipe Card

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Preparation time:10 Mins

Cooking time:15 Mins

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454g) spaghetti
• 4 tablespoons (57g) unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• ½ cup (120ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Zest of 2 lemons
• ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup (25g) chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Pasta water, reserved from cooking the pasta

Instructions:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
• While the pasta is cooking, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 30 seconds - don't burn it!).
• Add heavy cream to the skillet and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low.
• Stir in lemon juice and lemon zest. Add parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
• Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:550

Fat:30g

Fiber:3g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:Italian

Gathering Your Ingredients for Lemony Pasta

Pasta Power: Which Type?

Grab 1 pound of spaghetti. Linguine or fettuccine work too! Any pasta dishes you fancy would work, so long as you don't overcook them!

The Lemon Love

You need 4 tablespoons of butter. Also, two cloves of minced garlic. The key player is lemon. Get a cup of fresh juice and zest from two lemons.

Creamy Dreamy

Don't forget 1 cup of heavy cream. Half a cup of Parmesan cheese is also a must. Finally, some parsley. Don't skip it! The creamy lemon pasta will love it.

Seasoning Is Key

Salt and pepper are vital. Got the bits? Let's make magic, spaghetti al limone recipe style.

Cooking Made Simple: Making Pasta al Limone

Cooking Pasta Properly

First, boil some salted water. Throw in that spaghetti. Cook till it's "al dente," you know? Still has a bite. Save some pasta water, important that you don't forget this step!

Aromatics and Sauce

Melt butter in a skillet. Add garlic, but don't burn it! Then add cream. Simmer lightly. Stir in the lemon and cheese.

Make sure it's smooth. That lemon pasta sauce is almost done.

Pasta and Sauce Unite

Toss the pasta into that lemony bliss. Add that reserved pasta water until it becomes a smooth sauce. Now season it up and grab your fork!

Tips and Tricks: Lemon Pasta Perfection

The Importance of Fresh Lemons

This recipe sings when you use fresh lemon juice. Bottled juice just doesn’t cut it.

Adjusting the Sauce to Your Liking

Want more lemon? Squeeze in some extra. If it's too thick, add more pasta water. Quick pasta dinner perfection. This recipe works with every mood! Enjoy!

Ingredients & Equipment

Let's talk ingredients for this mind-blowingly easy pasta al limone recipe. Honestly, this is one of those easy pasta recipes that proves less is more.

You know? The key is using quality stuff. We are not looking for average pasta dishes today!

Main Ingredients

Here's what you'll need. I've got both US and metric measurements for my international pals. This easy pasta is for everyone.

• 1 pound (454g) spaghetti – look for bronze-die pasta if you can find it. It holds the sauce better.
• 4 tablespoons (57g) unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• ½ cup (120ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice – trust me, bottled stuff just doesn't cut it for this spaghetti al limone recipe !
• Zest of 2 lemons – make sure they're unwaxed lemons!
• ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving – real Parmesan, not the stuff in the green can, okay?
• ¼ cup (25g) chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Pasta water, reserved from cooking the pasta

Seasoning Notes

This sauce is all about balance. Lemon can be sharp, so the cream tames it. The parmesan gives it that umami kick.

• Lemon + Garlic + Parmesan: This is your core flavor profile. Don't mess with it.
• Flavor Enhancer: A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a nice subtle heat. I love that kind of creamy lemon pasta .
• Substitution: If you don't have fresh parsley, chives work in a pinch.

Equipment Needed

You don't need fancy gear to make this Italian pasta recipe .

• Large pot
• Large skillet
• Lemon zester
• Lemon juicer
• Colander

My friend once tried to zest a lemon with a cheese grater! Don't do that. A microplane is your best friend. I have other pasta recipes you can try at home.

This quick pasta dinner is perfect for weeknight pasta meals . It's a total winner if you follow it.

Lemony Dream: Classic Pasta al Limone

Honestly, sometimes the simplest things are the best. And this pasta al limone recipe? Oh my gosh, it's a total winner! It's one of those easy pasta recipes that feels fancy but takes hardly any time at all.

Think sunshine in a bowl. I've made this countless times, and it's always a crowd-pleaser. Did you know that pasta consumption in the UK has increased by 25% in the last decade? Everyone loves a good pasta dish , right? It's easily one of the most requested pasta recipes at my house.

Prep Power: Mise en Place Magic

Getting organised makes all the difference. First, zest two lemons and juice them. You'll need about ½ cup (120ml) of lemon juice.

Mince two cloves of garlic. Grate ½ cup (50g) of Parmesan cheese. Chop ¼ cup (25g) of fresh parsley. Having everything ready saves so much time.

I honestly think the secret to my cooking is always using the right tools and making sure everything is prepped and ready to go.

Step-by-Step Sunshine Spaghetti al Limone recipe

Here's how to make this quick pasta dinner :

1. Cook 1 pound (454g) of spaghetti until al dente. Remember to reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water!
2. Melt 4 tablespoons (57g) of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds .
3. Pour in 1 cup (240ml) of heavy cream. Simmer over low heat.
4. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring until smooth!
5. Add the pasta to the skillet. Toss with the sauce, adding pasta water until it's creamy.
6. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley and extra cheese.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Lemon pasta sauce

Want to take your creamy lemon pasta to the next level? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick.

Don't skip the pasta water – it makes the sauce silky smooth. And always, always use fresh lemon juice. Seriously, the bottled stuff just doesn't compare.

I always try and buy the best ingredients I can when cooking, and it makes such a difference to the end dish.

This is one of my go to Italian pasta recipes and its so easy to switch up. Its perfect as part of weeknight pasta meals .

Recipe Notes For Your Best Pasta Al Limone !

Right, let's chat about making this pasta al limone the absolute best it can be. It’s one of my favorite easy pasta recipes , and I've made it loads of times.

So, here are some things I've learned along the way. Ready?

Making it Look and Taste Good! Serving Suggestions

Presentation is everything, right? Seriously, though, even the simplest pasta dishes can look fancy. Think a twirl of spaghetti al limone in a shallow bowl.

A sprinkle of extra Parmesan and a sprig of parsley? Chef's kiss. Honestly, a simple green salad on the side is a winner.

It’s a great way to round out this quick pasta dinner . If you fancy something a bit more substantial, try some grilled chicken or fish.

A glass of crisp white wine is always a good idea. It complements the lemon pasta sauce perfectly. You know, something like a Pinot Grigio.

Leftovers? Sorted! Storage Tips

Let’s talk about storing Italian pasta recipes ! If you’ve got any leftover creamy lemon pasta , no worries. Pop it in an airtight container and into the fridge it goes.

It’ll keep for up to 3 days. For reheating, a splash of milk or water helps loosen the sauce. Honestly, freezing isn’t ideal.

The sauce can separate and become a bit grainy. It's best enjoyed fresh, my friend. It also can be a great weeknight pasta meals dish that you can make on the fly.

Mix It Up! Variations

Now, let's get creative with some pasta recipes . Want to make it veggie? Throw in some roasted veggies, like asparagus or courgette.

For a dairy-free version, try using coconut cream instead of heavy cream. You can use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a cheesy flavor.

Play around with seasonal ingredients too. In spring, some fresh peas would be lush.

The Good Stuff! Nutrition Basics

So, roughly speaking, each serving has around 550 calories. 20g of protein. And around 30g of fat. Remember, the lemon adds a good dose of Vitamin C.

The pasta gives you some carbs for energy. It's all about balance, isn't it? Keep in mind that this is just an estimate.

Honestly, this pasta al limone recipe is super versatile and easy to adapt. Don't be afraid to experiment and make it your own! You've got this!