Parmesan Lemon Pasta (Printable Version)

Zesty lemon meets creamy Parmesan in this quick 25-minute Italian pasta. Bright, savory, and perfectly satisfying.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 14 oz spaghetti or linguine

→ Sauce

02 - ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
03 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
04 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
05 - Zest of 1 large lemon
06 - Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tbsp)
07 - 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
08 - ¼ cup pasta cooking water (reserved)

→ Garnishes

09 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
10 - Sea salt, to taste
11 - Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving
12 - Chopped fresh parsley or basil (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water before draining.
02 - While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
03 - Stir in the lemon zest and juice, allowing the mixture to warm through for about 30 seconds.
04 - Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Gradually add the grated Parmesan, stirring constantly. Pour in the reserved pasta water little by little, mixing until the sauce becomes creamy and clings to the pasta.
05 - Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The lemon cuts through the rich cheese creating the most addictive balance of flavors
  • It comes together so fast you can make it on busy weeknights without any stress
  • The sauce technique works with practically any pasta shape you have in your pantry
02 -
  • The pasta water temperature matters so use it hot from the pot for the best emulsion
  • Add cheese gradually while tossing the pasta constantly instead of dumping it all in at once
  • The sauce will thicken quickly off the heat so serve immediately for the creamiest texture
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients help the sauce emulsify more smoothly
  • Grate the Parmesan fresh from a wedge for the creamiest results

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