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Lemon Butter Garlic Pasta Sauce Recipe

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Zesty lemon, buttery garlic, and Parmesan come together in this quick, satisfying pasta dish. Ready in just 15 minutes!

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 garlic cloves, finely sliced
  • ½ teaspoon red chilli flakes
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 50 g (½ cup) grated Parmesan (or veggie hard Italian cheese)
  • A handful freshly chopped parsley
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and toss in your pasta. Cook it just until al dente—don’t let it get too soft, because it’ll finish cooking in the sauce. Oh, and don’t forget to save some of that starchy pasta water before draining! I usually scoop out about a cup with a mug.
  2. Make the sauce: While the pasta is cooking, heat your olive oil in a pan over medium heat and melt in the butter. Add the garlic and chili flakes, and cook for just 1-2 minutes. The key here is not to let the garlic burn. You’re looking for it to turn just golden, which brings out the sweetness without any bitterness.
  3. Combine the pasta and sauce: Once the pasta is ready, transfer it straight into the pan with the sauce (no need to rinse it!). Toss everything together with a splash of pasta water until it’s glossy and well-coated. The starch in the pasta water helps thicken the sauce and makes it cling to the noodles.
  4. Finish with lemon and cheese: Stir in the lemon zest and juice, then sprinkle in the Parmesan and toss until the cheese melts into the sauce. If it’s looking a little thick, add another splash of pasta water.
  5. Garnish and serve: Finish with fresh parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste. If you’re feeling fancy, top it off with extra lemon zest and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan.

Notes

How to serve (and impress your guests!)

When I’m serving this pasta for friends, I love plating it in shallow bowls and finishing it with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan and a little lemon zest. For sides, I usually go with a simple green salad and some crusty garlic bread—because you can never have too much garlic, right?

  • Author: Jessica
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dinner

Find it online: https://savorykitchenstories.com/lemon-butter-garlic-pasta-sauce-recipe/