Get ready to transform your ordinary weeknight dinner into a restaurant-worthy experience with this incredibly simple yet luxurious Lemon Butter Pasta! In just 25 minutes, you'll create a dish that's bursting with bright, zesty flavors and creamy, rich textures that will make your taste buds dance. Whether you're a busy professional, a cooking novice, or a culinary enthusiast, this Italian-inspired recipe promises to deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 200g pasta
- 50g butter
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
- While the pasta is cooking, zest the entire lemon and then squeeze out its juice. Finely chop fresh parsley leaves.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat until it starts to foam and turn slightly golden, creating a nutty aroma.
- Add lemon zest to the melted butter and cook for 30 seconds to release its aromatic oils.
- Drain the cooked pasta and immediately transfer it to the skillet with the lemon butter.
- Toss the pasta in the butter, adding small splashes of reserved pasta water to create a smooth, silky sauce.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the pasta and continue tossing to distribute flavors evenly.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
- Serve immediately in warm plates, garnishing with additional parsley and Parmesan if desired.
Tips
- Always use freshly grated Parmesan for the most vibrant flavor - pre-grated cheese can't compare!
- Reserve pasta water before draining; its starchy consistency is key to creating a silky, emulsified sauce.
- Watch your butter carefully when browning - you want a golden color and nutty aroma, not burnt butter.
- Use a large skillet to ensure even coating of the pasta with the lemon butter sauce.
- Serve immediately while the pasta is hot to enjoy the most intense flavors and creamiest texture.
- For extra richness, consider using high-quality European-style butter with a higher fat content.
- Experiment with different pasta shapes - while spaghetti works great, linguine or penne can also be delicious alternatives.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Cholesterol: 55mg
