Description
This Lemon Butter Garlic Pasta Sauce, also known as Pasta al Limone, is a bright and flavorful Italian-inspired dish. It features a delicate balance of creamy butter, fresh lemon zest and juice, fragrant garlic, and a touch of heat from red chili flakes. Tossed with linguine or spaghetti and finished with Parmesan and parsley, it’s a quick and satisfying meal perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta
- 300 g linguine or spaghetti
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 40 g unsalted butter (2 tablespoons)
- 6 garlic cloves, finely sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 50 g grated Parmesan or vegetarian hard Italian cheese (1/2 cup)
- A handful freshly chopped parsley
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the linguine or spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1-2 cups of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Prepare Sauce Base: In a large pan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over low-medium heat. Add the unsalted butter and allow it to melt gently.
- Sauté Garlic and Chili: Add the finely sliced garlic cloves and red chili flakes to the melted butter and oil mixture. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the garlic changes color, being careful not to burn it.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Transfer the cooked pasta into the pan with the garlic butter sauce. Toss well with kitchen tongs to coat the pasta evenly. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if the sauce seems too thick.
- Add Lemon and Cheese: Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice, then add the grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything thoroughly to combine and create a creamy sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Add the freshly chopped parsley and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve the pasta immediately, optionally topped with additional grated Parmesan and lemon zest for extra flavor.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency for optimal creaminess.
- Use vegetarian hard Italian cheese as a substitute for Parmesan if preferred.
- Be careful not to burn the garlic to avoid bitterness.
- Add extra chili flakes if you prefer a spicier dish.
- Fresh parsley adds brightness, but you can substitute with basil or chives if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
