Parmesan Lemon Pasta (Printable)

Bright, creamy pasta with zesty lemon and savory Parmesan perfect for quick weeknight dining.

# 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 Tips:

01 -
  • Its the perfect solution when you want restaurant quality flavor with zero stress and minimal ingredients
  • The sauce comes together so effortlessly youll find yourself making it on busy weeknights without thinking twice
02 -
  • The pasta water is absolutely crucial for turning melted cheese into a proper sauce, so dont forget to reserve it
  • Grate your own Parmesan because pre grated cheese has anti caking agents that prevent smooth melting
03 -
  • Use a microplane for the lemon zest to avoid getting any bitter white pith in your sauce
  • Save a little extra pasta water just in case you need it to loosen the sauce before serving

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