Description
This quick and cozy Creamy Lemon Basil Pasta is a vibrant dish that combines creamy sauce, fresh basil, and zesty lemon for a comforting weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 8 ounces Pasta (Spaghetti or linguine, or any pasta you prefer.)
- 2-3 cloves Garlic, minced (Adjust to taste.)
- 1 cup Heavy cream (For a silky sauce.)
- 1 lemon Lemon, zest plus juice (Zest is essential for flavor.)
- 0.5 cup Parmesan, freshly grated (For best results, grate your own.)
- 1 cup Fresh basil, chopped or torn (Add at the end for freshness.)
- to taste Salt (For seasoning.)
- to taste Black pepper (For seasoning.)
- splash or two Pasta water (To loosen the sauce.)
- 2 tablespoons Butter (For richness.)
Instructions
Preparation
- Boil the pasta in salted water until just tender. Before draining, scoop out about 1 cup of pasta water.
- While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a large pan over medium-low heat. Add garlic and stir for about 30 seconds, being careful not to brown it.
Cooking
- Pour in the cream, bringing it to a gentle simmer. Add lemon zest and a couple spoonfuls of lemon juice and stir in Parmesan until melted.
- Add the drained pasta directly into the sauce, tossing well. Turn off the heat, then add chopped basil.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and additional lemon if desired.
- Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
For a lighter sauce, consider using half and half instead of heavy cream. Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smoother sauce. Avoid using dried herbs for best flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Pasta
- Cuisine: Italian