Creamy Lemon Pasta
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A quick and easy 20-minute restaurant-style creamy lemon pasta with a silky Parmesan sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights.
- Author: Sarah Peterson
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 20 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
- 12 ounces pasta (spaghetti or linguine)
- 4 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: cooked chicken or shrimp
- Cook pasta according to package directions in a large pot. Drain, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.
- While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice. Cook, stirring, until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, with optional cooked chicken or shrimp if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can substitute Greek yogurt for some of the heavy cream.
- Add cooked chicken or shrimp for a complete meal.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or lemon zest for extra flavor and color.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 60mg