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Creamy Lemon Pasta Recipe

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This creamy lemon pasta recipe offers a luscious and tangy pasta dish that's ready in just 25 minutes. Featuring a rich lemon and parmesan cream sauce tossed with rigatoni or penne, it's a perfect weeknight meal bursting with bright citrus flavors and indulgent creaminess.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 8 ounces uncooked pasta (rigatoni or penne recommended)

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 tablespoon flour
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • Zest of 1/2 lemon
  • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt & pepper, to taste

Garnish (optional)

  • Fresh parsley, chopped
  • Extra parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions.
  2. Prepare roux: About 10 minutes before the pasta is done, melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently to form a roux.
  3. Add aromatics and liquids: Stir in minced garlic, then add the broth along with lemon juice and lemon zest. Allow the mixture to bubble gently for 1 minute.
  4. Thicken sauce: Whisk in the heavy cream and cook for several minutes until the sauce thickens to your preferred consistency.
  5. Finish sauce: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Toss pasta in sauce: Drain the pasta, reserving a little cooking water. Add pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon or so of pasta water to loosen it.
  7. Serve: Garnish with extra parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Use rigatoni or penne pasta for best results as they hold the sauce well.
  • Adjust lemon juice and zest to taste for more or less citrus brightness.
  • For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • If the sauce becomes too thick, use reserved pasta water to thin it out.
  • Freshly grated parmesan gives a better flavor and texture than pre-grated.
  • Serve immediately as the sauce thickens upon standing.

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