Description
Silky lemon butter garlic pasta sauce brings Mediterranean sunshine to your plate, dancing with zesty citrus and rich creamy notes. Delicate flavors blend seamlessly, offering you a quick, elegant meal that whispers of Italian coastal kitchens.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 300 g (10.5 ounces) linguine or spaghetti
- 40 g (2 tablespoons) unsalted butter
- 6 garlic cloves, finely sliced
- 50 g (1/2 cup) grated Parmesan (or veggie hard Italian cheese)
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red chilli flakes
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 handful freshly chopped parsley
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot of generously salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge pasta and cook until just shy of al dente, approximately 2-3 minutes less than package instructions. Reserve one cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
- Select a wide skillet and warm olive oil over medium heat. Introduce butter and allow it to melt smoothly. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes until garlic turns delicately golden without scorching.
- Transfer hot pasta directly into the skillet with aromatic sauce. Gently toss noodles, incorporating splashes of reserved pasta water to create a silky, glossy coating that clings elegantly to each strand.
- Brighten the sauce by zesting and juicing fresh lemon directly into the pan. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until it melts seamlessly into the liquid, creating a creamy, tangy emulsion. Adjust consistency with additional pasta water if needed.
- Elevate the dish by scattering fresh parsley across the surface. Season with cracked black pepper and sea salt to taste. For an extra flourish, garnish with additional lemon zest and a generous dusting of Parmesan cheese before serving immediately.
Notes
- Save some pasta water before draining to help create a silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats every noodle.
- Avoid burning garlic by cooking it quickly over medium heat, just until it turns golden to release its sweet, mellow flavor without any bitter notes.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melting and most intense cheese flavor, steering clear of pre-grated options that can taste stale.
- Customize the heat level by adjusting chili flakes – add more for a spicy kick or omit completely for a milder version suitable for sensitive palates.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 305
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg