Penne with Asparagus Lemon Sauce
Brighten up your weeknight dinners with this vibrant and creamy Penne with Asparagus Lemon Sauce! This quick and easy pasta dish pairs tender penne with crisp sautéed asparagus and a luscious lemon-infused cream sauce that’s both tangy and rich. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese creates a velvety texture, while a hint of garlic and lemon zest adds a refreshing burst of flavor. Perfectly balanced and ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe is ideal for a light yet satisfying meal. Garnish with chopped parsley for a pop of color and serve it as a main course or alongside your favorite protein. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or meal-prepping for the week, this dish is sure to impress!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Penne pasta
- 1 lb Asparagus
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp Lemon zest
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley (chopped, optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the asparagus: Trim the woody ends and cut the remaining stalks into 2-inch pieces.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the asparagus and sauté for 4-5 minutes, until tender but still crisp.
Mince the garlic cloves and add them to the skillet. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
Zest the lemon to obtain 1 tablespoon of zest, and juice the lemon to yield 2 tablespoons of juice. Add both the zest and juice to the skillet, stirring well to combine.
Lower the heat to medium-low. Pour in the heavy cream and stir well. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, until slightly thickened.
Gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes over low heat to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
673 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 44.5 g | 57% | |
| Saturated Fat | 23.8 g | 119% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 96 mg | 32% | |
| Sodium | 1415 mg | 62% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 35.0 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.4 g | 16% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.1 g | ||
| Protein | 30.2 g | 60% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 698 mg | 54% | |
| Iron | 3.4 mg | 19% | |
| Potassium | 343 mg | 7% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
