20-Minute Creamy Lemon Pasta
20-Minute Creamy Lemon Pasta is a quick, flavorful dish that transforms simple ingredients into an impressive meal. With its luscious creamy sauce complemented by bright lemon zest, this pasta is perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. In just 20 minutes, you can enjoy a delightful bowl of goodness that will become a family favorite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main
- Method: Boiling/Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz spaghetti or fettuccine
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 large fresh lemons (juice and zest)
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for one minute until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream and let it simmer for three minutes until slightly thickened.
- Incorporate lemon zest and juice into the sauce, stirring well to combine.
- Gradually add grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
- Toss cooked pasta into the sauce, adding salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 80mg