Description
Lemon Butter Garlic Pasta Sauce, also known as Pasta al Limone, is a bright and flavorful Italian-inspired dish that combines linguine or spaghetti with a luscious sauce of butter, garlic, lemon zest and juice, Parmesan cheese, and a hint of chili flakes. It’s quick to prepare and perfect for a light yet indulgent meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta
- 300 g linguine or spaghetti
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 40 g unsalted butter
- 6 garlic cloves, finely sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon red chilli flakes
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 50 g grated Parmesan or hard Italian cheese
- A handful freshly chopped parsley
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine or spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1-2 cups of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- Prepare the sauce base: In a large pan or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over low-medium heat. Add the unsalted butter and allow it to melt slowly.
- Add garlic and chili: Stir in the finely sliced garlic and red chilli flakes. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until the garlic changes color and becomes fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add the drained pasta to the pan with the butter sauce. Use kitchen tongs to toss the pasta thoroughly, ensuring it is coated evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Add lemon and cheese: Stir in the lemon zest and juice, then sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese. Toss well to combine and let the cheese melt into the sauce.
- Finish and serve: Add the freshly chopped parsley, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, and toss lightly. Serve immediately, optionally topped with extra grated cheese and lemon zest for garnish.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and texture.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, increase the red chilli flakes slightly.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed since the starch helps bind the sauce.
- For a vegetarian option, ensure the Parmesan cheese is vegetarian-friendly or substitute with a vegan hard cheese alternative.
- Gently cook the garlic to avoid bitterness from burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
