Description
This Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta is a quick and simple dish perfect for a weeknight dinner. Featuring a zesty lemon and fragrant garlic butter sauce, it’s easy to prepare with pantry staples and ready in just 25 minutes. Tossed with Parmesan cheese and garnished with fresh parsley, this pasta is light, flavorful, and comforting, ideal for two servings.
Ingredients
Scale
pasta
- 8 ounces of spaghetti or your favorite pasta
sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
finishing touches
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil the pasta: Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Cook the pasta: Add the spaghetti or your chosen pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
- Reserve pasta water: Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use in the sauce.
- Drain the pasta: Drain the cooked pasta in a colander without rinsing to keep the starches that help thicken the sauce.
- Melt the butter: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat, taking care not to let it brown.
- Sauté the garlic: Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and slightly golden, but not burnt.
- Add lemon: Stir in the lemon zest and juice thoroughly to infuse the sauce with bright citrus flavor.
- Add spice and seasoning: Incorporate the red pepper flakes to taste, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the lemon garlic butter sauce, tossing to coat each strand evenly.
- Adjust sauce consistency: Gradually add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve your desired sauce consistency and creaminess.
- Add Parmesan cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt and bind with the sauce.
- Final seasoning check: Adjust seasoning by adding more lemon juice or cheese to balance flavors to your liking.
- Plate the pasta: Twirl the pasta onto plates or into bowls for an elegant presentation.
- Garnish: Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately, paired with a crisp green salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to help emulsify and thicken the sauce without adding cream.
- Be careful not to burn the garlic as it can turn bitter.
- Adjust red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level.
- For a richer flavor, you can substitute some butter with olive oil or add a splash of white wine.
- This dish is best served fresh as the sauce thickens upon standing.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
