Creamy Lemon Pasta

Indulge in the zestful simplicity of Creamy Lemon Pasta, a vibrant and velvety dish that perfectly balances bright citrus notes with rich, cheesy decadence. Featuring tender spaghetti tossed in a silky sauce made from fresh lemon juice, aromatic garlic, and luxurious heavy cream, this recipe is a quick 30-minute masterpiece ideal for weeknight dinners or elegant gatherings. The addition of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a handful of fragrant basil leaves takes this dish to the next level, offering a delightful blend of creamy, tangy, and savory flavors. Easy to customize and irresistibly satisfying, this refreshing pasta dish pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or crusty garlic bread for a complete meal. Don’t forget to save some pasta water—it’s the secret to achieving the perfect sauce consistency!

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 350 grams spaghetti
• 2 whole lemons
• 200 milliliters heavy cream
• 100 grams Parmesan cheese
• 3 whole garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 handful fresh basil

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions, until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, zest the lemons and juice them, keeping the zest and juice separate.

Step 3

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Once heated, add the finely minced garlic cloves and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant, making sure not to brown the garlic.

Step 4

Pour in the heavy cream, followed by the lemon juice, and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer.

Step 5

Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper, whisking until the cheese melts, creating a smooth and creamy sauce.

Step 6

Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss well to coat in the creamy lemon sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water gradually, until the desired consistency is achieved.

Step 7

Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

Step 8

Roughly chop the fresh basil and sprinkle over the pasta just before serving.

Step 9

Serve immediately with additional grated Parmesan on top if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(820.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1918.4

Total Fat 127.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 63.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 288.9mg	0%
Sodium 3075.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 126.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.4g	0%
Total Sugars 6.2g
Protein 54.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 996.7mg	0%
Iron 7.5mg	0%
Potassium 408.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 61.2%

Protein: 11.7%

Carbs: 27.1%