Description
This creamy lemon pasta is a delightful and easy-to-make dish featuring perfectly cooked pasta tossed in a luscious sauce made with heavy cream, chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese. Garlic and fresh parsley add aromatic notes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner that is both comforting and refreshing.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 8 ounces pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook Pasta: Once boiling, add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining, reserve about a cup of pasta water for adjusting sauce consistency later.
- Drain Pasta: Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Heat Olive Oil: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Sauté Garlic: Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, careful not to burn.
- Add Cream and Broth: Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine.
- Simmer Sauce: Let the mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally to thicken.
- Add Lemon: Stir in lemon zest and lemon juice to infuse fresh citrus flavor.
- Season Sauce: Add salt and black pepper, adjusting seasoning to taste.
- Melt Cheese: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and sauce thickens further.
- Adjust Consistency: If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to your desired consistency.
- Toss Pasta: Add cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat fully in the creamy lemon sauce.
- Add Parsley: Stir in fresh chopped parsley and toss again to combine evenly.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley or Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water carefully; it helps to loosen the sauce without diluting flavor.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melt and flavor.
- Adjust lemon juice and zest based on your preferred level of citrus brightness.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- This dish is best enjoyed immediately to maintain the creamy texture of the sauce.
