This lemon pasta recipe can be ready in just 30 minutes! It's made with a creamy, fresh lemon sauce and pairs perfectly with chicken or shrimp. Makes a great weeknight dinner! Recipe includes a how-to video!
½cupfreshly grated parmesan cheeseplus additional for topping
½teaspoontable saltplus more to taste
½teaspoonground black pepperplus more to taste
Fresh chopped parsley for garnishoptional
Instructions
Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Once boiling, cook pasta according to package instructions. Once pasta has cooked, reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining noodles. While pasta is cooking, begin preparing lemon sauce.
8 oz spaghetti noodles
In a large saucepan, combine oil and butter over medium heat.
Once butter is melted, add shallot, lemon zest, and crushed red pepper and cook until shallot is translucent (if substituting garlic, cook just until garlic is fragrant/30 seconds).
Whisk in 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice until combined.
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
While whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in heavy cream and whisk until combined.
¾ cup heavy cream
Bring mixture to a simmer (while stirring frequently). Once simmering, reduce heat to low and add parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon table salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Add warm, cooked spaghetti to the pan along with a splash (2-3 Tablespoons) of pasta water. Toss together over low heat until pasta is well combined and well coated with the sauce.
Top with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve.
Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Video
Notes
Shallot
May substitute 2 teaspoons of minced garlic.
Parmesan
Using freshly grated parmesan (without any anti-caking additives) is critical, otherwise the cheese will not melt smoothly.
Protein
This dish goes well with grilled chicken or shrimp. I typically cook separately then serve over the pasta.