Lemon Butter Garlic Pasta Sauce
Elevate your pasta game with this creamy and zesty Lemon Butter Garlic Pasta Sauce. Perfectly balanced with the brightness of lemon and the richness of butter, this sauce is a delightful addition to your weeknight dinners or special occasions. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 300 g (10.5 oz) linguine or spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 40 g (2 tablespoons) unsalted butter
- 6 garlic cloves, finely sliced
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 50 g (½ cup) grated Parmesan (or veggie hard Italian cheese)
- A handful freshly chopped parsley
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Directions:
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta al dente in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions. Before draining, reserve 1-2 cups of pasta water. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a large pan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt completely.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the finely sliced garlic and red chili flakes to the pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and slightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the pan. Use a pair of kitchen tongs to toss the pasta in the butter sauce, ensuring it’s well-coated. If the sauce appears too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Add Lemon and Cheese: Stir in the lemon zest and juice. Then, add the grated Parmesan and toss everything together until the cheese is melted and evenly distributed.
- Season and Serve: Add the freshly chopped parsley and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, topped with additional grated cheese and lemon zest if desired.
Recipe Details:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Calories: Approximately 400 kcal per serving
- Servings: 4
This Lemon Butter Garlic Pasta Sauce is a perfect blend of creamy, zesty, and slightly spicy flavors that will have everyone coming back for more. Enjoy it with your favorite pasta and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan for a truly satisfying meal.
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Lemon Butter Garlic Pasta Sauce
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
300 g (10.5 oz) linguine or spaghetti
1 tablespoon olive oil
40 g (2 tablespoons) unsalted butter
6 garlic cloves, finely sliced
½ teaspoon red chili flakes
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
50 g (½ cup) grated Parmesan (or veggie hard Italian cheese)
A handful freshly chopped parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Cook the pasta al dente in salted water according to the instructions on the package. Reserve 1-2 cups of pasta water before draining.
Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large pan or Dutch oven and melt the butter in it over low-medium heat.
Stir in the garlic and red chili flakes and cook for 1-2 minutes until the garlic changes its color, careful not to burn it.
Transfer the cooked pasta to the pan and toss well with a pair of kitchen tongs to cover it in the butter sauce. Add a splash of pasta water if it looks too thick.
Stir in the lemon zest and juice, then add the Parmesan and toss well to combine.
Add the chopped parsley, season to taste, and serve immediately, topped with additional grated cheese and lemon zest if you like.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 400 Kcal