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Creamy Lemon Pasta Recipe

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4.4 from 15 reviews

This Creamy Lemon Pasta recipe offers a delightful blend of tangy lemon, rich cream, and savory parmesan cheese tossed with al dente rigatoni or penne. Perfect for a quick and elegant meal, this sauce combines a buttery roux base with lemon zest and juice to brighten the creamy texture, finished with fresh parsley and extra parmesan for garnish.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 8 ounces uncooked pasta (rigatoni or penne recommended)

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 tablespoon flour
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth or dry white wine
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • Zest of 1/2 lemon
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Garnish

  • Fresh parsley (optional)
  • Extra parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes.
  2. Make the roux: About 10 minutes before the pasta is done, melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to form a lightly cooked roux.
  3. Add garlic and liquids: Stir in the minced garlic, then pour in the broth or dry white wine along with the lemon juice and lemon zest. Allow the mixture to bubble and reduce slightly for about 1 minute.
  4. Incorporate cream and thicken sauce: Whisk in the heavy cream and continue cooking for several minutes until the sauce thickens to your preferred consistency.
  5. Finish the sauce: Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and remove the skillet from heat. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  6. Combine pasta and sauce: Drain the pasta, reserving about a tablespoon of pasta water. Add the pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat; if the sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
  7. Garnish and serve: Serve immediately, garnished with additional parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

  • You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth to keep the dish vegetarian.
  • For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
  • Adding a little reserved pasta water helps adjust the sauce consistency perfectly.
  • Be generous with salt and pepper since the parmesan adds a salty flavor, but personal taste may vary.
  • Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the best vibrant lemon flavor.
  • Author: Daisy
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://dishiary.com/creamy-lemon-pasta-recipe/