Description
Creamy lemon butter garlic pasta sauce whisks Italian culinary magic into a simple weeknight dinner. Tangy citrus and rich butter blend seamlessly, creating a luxurious coating that elevates ordinary pasta into a restaurant-worthy experience you’ll crave.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 300 g (10.5 oz) linguine or spaghetti
- 40 g (2 tablespoons) unsalted butter
- 6 garlic cloves, finely sliced
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Garnish and Cheese:
- 50 g (½ cup) grated Parmesan (or veggie hard Italian cheese)
- A handful freshly chopped parsley
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook the pasta until it reaches a perfect al dente texture, keeping some pasta water in reserve for later use.
- In a spacious skillet, gently melt butter into olive oil over a low-medium flame, creating a silky smooth base for the sauce.
- Introduce minced garlic and red chili flakes to the butter mixture, allowing them to bloom and release their aromatic essence for approximately 1-2 minutes, taking care to prevent any burning.
- Carefully transfer the cooked pasta into the skillet, using kitchen tongs to ensure each strand gets evenly coated with the fragrant butter sauce, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if the consistency seems too dense.
- Sprinkle in vibrant lemon zest and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the pasta, infusing the dish with bright, citrusy notes.
- Incorporate grated Parmesan cheese, tossing thoroughly to create a creamy, luxurious coating that clings to every piece of pasta.
- Scatter freshly chopped parsley across the dish, seasoning with salt and pepper to elevate the flavors, and serve immediately with an optional garnish of additional cheese and lemon zest for those who desire extra richness.
Notes
- Preserve pasta water before draining, as its starchy goodness helps create a silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats each noodle.
- Cook garlic carefully on low-medium heat to develop rich flavor without burning, which can turn the sauce bitter and unpleasant.
- Use fresh lemon zest and juice for bright, vibrant citrus notes that cut through the richness of butter and Parmesan cheese.
- Toss pasta directly in the sauce using kitchen tongs to ensure every strand gets evenly coated with the aromatic garlic butter.
- Add Parmesan cheese off the heat to prevent separation and maintain a smooth, creamy texture that clings beautifully to the pasta.
- Finish with fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and a light, herbaceous freshness that elevates the entire dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg