Description
This creamy lemon pasta recipe is a quick and delicious weeknight meal, ready in just 20 minutes. Featuring tender pappardelle pasta enveloped in a rich, velvety sauce made with butter, olive oil, garlic, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and the bright zest and juice of fresh lemons. Perfectly seasoned and garnished with fresh parsley, it’s a refreshing and comforting dish that elegantly combines simplicity and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound pappardelle pasta
- 1/2 cup pasta water (reserved)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
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 chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 2-4 tablespoons of Kosher salt just before adding the pasta. Cook 1 pound of pappardelle according to package directions until just al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
- Prepare the Garlic Base: While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add 3 cloves of finely minced garlic along with a couple pinches of salt and fresh cracked pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Whisk in 2 cups of heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Allow it to simmer gently over medium-low heat for a few minutes until the cream thickens slightly, stirring occasionally.
- Add Cheese and Lemon: Remove the pan from heat and stir in 1 cup of finely shredded Parmesan cheese, then add the zest and juice of 2 lemons. Continue stirring until the cheese melts completely and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the sauce along with a splash or two of reserved pasta water. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until everything is warmed through and the sauce clings nicely to the pasta. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
- Enjoy and Feedback: If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a 5-star rating and review!
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- Be careful not to overcook garlic to avoid bitterness.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting and flavor.
- Adjust lemon juice to taste for a more or less tangy sauce.
- This recipe pairs well with a crisp green salad or crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: creamy lemon pasta, pappardelle pasta recipe, quick pasta sauce, Italian pasta dish, lemon and cream pasta
