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Easy 20-Minute Creamy Lemon Garlic Parmesan Pasta

A fork lifts strands of creamy lemon pasta coated in sauce, topped with grated Parmesan and fresh parsley.
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Make this bright and rich creamy lemon pasta quickly. It delivers zesty flavor and a velvety sauce, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 12 ounces spaghetti or linguine
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  3. Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream and let it warm through for 1 minute.
  4. Add the reserved pasta water, lemon juice, and lemon zest to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
  5. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and coats the pasta evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash more pasta water.
  7. Season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For a richer sauce, substitute half of the heavy cream with cream cheese, softened.
  • You can add cooked shrimp or grilled chicken breast to make this a complete meal.
  • Use fresh lemon juice; bottled juice changes the flavor profile.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbyfelix.com/creamy-lemon-pasta-recipe/