Pasta al Limone Recipe
Pasta Al Limone is a bright and creamy Italian pasta dish featuring al dente spaghetti coated in a luscious lemon-infused cream sauce with butter and Parmesan cheese. The fresh lemon zest and juice provide a vibrant citrus flavor balanced by the richness of heavy cream and butter, finished with aromatic lemon peel strips and freshly ground black pepper for a refreshing yet comforting meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and seasoning
- Kosher salt, for pasta water
- 12 oz. spaghetti
Lemon and sauce
- 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta, stirring occasionally, until al dente according to package directions. Drain the pasta while reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Prepare Lemon Peel and Juice: Using a vegetable peeler, carefully slice off 1 to 2 strips of lemon peel with minimal pith. Cut these strips into thin julienne strips and set aside for garnish. Zest the remaining lemon directly into a large saucepan. Juice the lemon into a small bowl separately.
- Make the Sauce: Add the heavy cream and unsalted butter to the saucepan with the lemon zest. Heat over low heat, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally and let the zest infuse into the cream and butter for about 5 minutes, creating a fragrant and flavorful sauce base.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Using tongs, transfer the drained spaghetti into the saucepan. Toss the pasta well to coat it evenly with the lemon cream sauce. Add the finely grated Parmesan cheese and continue tossing until the cheese melts smoothly, forming a creamy sauce. Gradually ladle up to 1 cup of the reserved pasta water as needed, tossing continuously until the sauce becomes glossy and smooth, perfectly coating the spaghetti.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle the fresh lemon juice over the pasta and season with freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss gently to combine all flavors. Serve immediately topped with the reserved lemon peel strips for a fresh citrus aroma and an elegant presentation.
Notes
- For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-grated for better melting and flavor.
- Be sure to reserve pasta water, as its starch content helps create a silky sauce that clings to the pasta.
- Use minimal pith when peeling the lemon to avoid bitterness in the garnish.
- Adjust lemon juice amount depending on your preference for acidity.
- This dish pairs beautifully with a light green salad and crusty bread.
Keywords: Pasta al Limone, lemon pasta, creamy lemon spaghetti, Italian pasta recipe, easy lemon pasta, Parmesan pasta, lemon cream sauce
Find it online: https://trendytasterecipes.com/pasta-al-limone-recipe/
