Rigatoni with Lemon Parmesan Cream
Elevate your pasta night with this irresistible Rigatoni with Lemon Parmesan Cream—a rich, velvety dish that combines the comforting appeal of al dente rigatoni with a creamy sauce bursting with bright, tangy citrus notes. This easy-to-make recipe features a luxurious blend of garlic-scented heavy cream, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and a pop of freshness from lemon zest and juice. Perfectly balanced with a touch of black pepper and finished with a sprinkle of parsley, this dish is ready in just 30 minutes and ideal for weeknight dinners or elegant entertaining. Serve it up as a decadent main course or pair it with crisp greens for a restaurant-quality meal at home.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams Rigatoni pasta
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 1.5 teaspoons Salt
- 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the rest.
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
Pour in the heavy cream and whisk to combine. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes.
Lower the heat to medium-low and gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese, whisking continuously to create a smooth and creamy sauce.
Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Stir to incorporate, and simmer the sauce for another 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat, adding splashes of the reserved pasta water as needed to thin the sauce to your desired consistency.
Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or lemon juice, if needed.
Transfer the pasta to serving bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2241 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 155.9 g | 200% | |
| Saturated Fat | 93.8 g | 469% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 453 mg | 151% | |
| Sodium | 5691 mg | 247% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 130.4 g | 47% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.4 g | 30% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.3 g | ||
| Protein | 72.6 g | 145% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1402 mg | 108% | |
| Iron | 6.1 mg | 34% | |
| 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.
