Brighten your dinner table with Spaghetti al Limone, a delightfully tangy and creamy Italian pasta dish that marries the zesty freshness of lemons with a luxurious cream sauce. This easy-to-make recipe combines al dente spaghetti with a velvety blend of heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and a hint of garlic, elevated by the zingy pop of freshly squeezed lemon juice and fragrant lemon zest. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or an elegant dinner party, this recipe takes just 30 minutes from prep to plate and is finished with a sprinkle of parsley for a fresh, vibrant touch. Serve this luscious lemon pasta with a side of crusty bread or a crisp arugula salad for a complete, mouthwatering meal thatβs as elegant as it is effortless.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
While the pasta is cooking, zest both lemons and juice one of them. Set the zest and juice aside separately.
In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Lower the heat slightly and add the butter to the skillet, letting it melt completely. Stir in the heavy cream and mix well to create a smooth sauce.
Stir in the lemon zest and juice, then add the Parmesan cheese. Mix until the cheese melts and the sauce is creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet and toss gently to coat the pasta in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Remove the skillet from heat and taste the pasta. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese, freshly chopped parsley, and a sprinkle of lemon zest if desired.
Calories |
1612 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 115.1 g | 148% | |
| Saturated Fat | 61.9 g | 310% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 281 mg | 94% | |
| Sodium | 3267 mg | 142% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 106.6 g | 39% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.2 g | 33% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.9 g | ||
| Protein | 39.8 g | 80% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 656 mg | 50% | |
| Iron | 7.0 mg | 39% | |
| Potassium | 414 mg | 9% | |
*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.