Get ready to transform your weeknight dinner with the most INCREDIBLE creamy lemon garlic pasta that will make your taste buds dance! 🍝✨ Imagine a luxurious, silky sauce that perfectly coats every strand of pasta, bursting with bright lemon zest and rich garlic flavors that'll have you coming back for seconds (and thirds!). This restaurant-quality dish is not just a meal, it's a culinary experience that's surprisingly simple to create right in your own kitchen.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 8 oz of pasta, 2 tbsp of olive oil, 4 cloves of minced garlic, 1 cup of heavy cream, the juice and zest of 1 lemon, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste, and fresh parsley for garnish.
- Fill a large pot with water, add a generous amount of salt, and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the 8 oz of pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the 4 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic burn.
- Reduce the heat to low and slowly pour in 1 cup of heavy cream, stirring continuously to combine with the garlic and olive oil. Allow the cream to heat through for about 2-3 minutes.
- Next, add the juice and zest of 1 lemon to the skillet, stirring well to incorporate the flavors. Let the mixture simmer gently for another 2 minutes.
- Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water and then drain the pasta. Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the creamy lemon garlic sauce.
- Stir the pasta into the sauce, making sure it is well coated. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add some of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Sprinkle in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and mix until melted and fully incorporated into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Once everything is combined and heated through, remove the skillet from the heat. Serve the creamy lemon garlic pasta in bowls, garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color and added flavor.
- Enjoy your delicious creamy lemon garlic pasta as a satisfying meal, perfect for any occasion!
Tips
- • Always salt your pasta water generously - it's the secret to perfectly seasoned pasta from the inside out! • Don't rush the garlic sautéing process - low and slow prevents burning and releases the most incredible flavor • Reserve some pasta water before draining, as the starchy liquid is magic for creating a smooth, clingy sauce • Use freshly zested lemon for the brightest, most vibrant citrus flavor • Grate your Parmesan cheese fresh if possible - it melts more smoothly and tastes significantly better than pre-grated cheese • For extra richness, you can add a small pat of butter when mixing the pasta and sauce • Garnish with fresh parsley right before serving to add a pop of color and fresh herbaceous note
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 520kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 37g
Saturated Fat: 22g
Cholesterol: 115mg
