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Garlic Parmesan Lemon Pasta on a white plate with a fork.

Easy Lemon Garlic Parmesan Pasta (Pasta al Limone)


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5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: Sandra Flegg
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x

Description

Get ready to savor the incredible flavors with this mouthwatering Easy Lemon Garlic Parmesan Pasta, also known as Pasta al Limone! This dish is a delightful fusion of tangy and savory notes that will leave you craving more. Made with fresh, readily available ingredients, it’s the perfect choice for those seeking a light and refreshing meal. 


Ingredients

4 quarts water

1 Tablespoon coarse sea salt

3 Tablespoons of unsalted butter

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1 (16-ounce) package of spaghetti

2 lemons, juiced and zested

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

1 teaspoon of fine sea salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

6-8 Tablespoons fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley, chopped

Optional garnishes:

Extra olive oil

Extra cheese

Extra sea salt

Extra black pepper


Instructions

  1. Fill a large pot with the water and add a Tablespoon of coarse sea salt. Put on high heat and bring to a boil. 
  2. While you wait for the water to boil, melt the butter and olive oil in a large saute pan over low heat.
  3. Once the water is boiling, add the fully melted butter and the pasta.
  4. Add half the lemon zest, about 1 Tablespoon, and the minced garlic to the melted butter. 
  5. Set a timer for 5 minutes, and stir the pasta and the butter mixture frequently. 
  6. When the timer goes off, use the spaghetti server spoon to remove the pasta from the boiling water and add it directly into the pan with the cooking sauce. 
  7. Add the lemon juice and 1 cup of the pasta cooking water directly into the pan with the spaghetti. 
  8. Keep the pan on low heat and cook the pasta in the lemon sauce for five minutes. Toss the spaghetti several times while cooking to ensure the sauce evenly coats the pasta. 
  9. Check the pasta every few minutes until it finishes cooking, about 5 more minutes. Add ¼ – ½ cup of pasta cooking water if needed. 
  10. Once the pasta is cooked, turn off the heat and sprinkle in the parmesan cheese, sea salt, and black pepper, mixing thoroughly. 
  11. Separate the pasta onto 4-6 large serving plates and sprinkle 1 Tablespoon of chopped parsley onto each serving. 
  12. Serve hot, garnished with extra cheese, remaining lemon zest, olive oil, salt, and pepper, optional.

Notes

Storage and reheating instructions:

Eating this pasta immediately after it is ready is best. However, you can store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to five days or in the freezer for up to eight months.

Reheat in a pan on the stove; add a little water and salt on low-medium heat for approximately five minutes or ten minutes if frozen. Leftovers can also be reheated in the microwave if desired.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American-Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 helping
  • Calories: 190
  • Sugar: 2.2 g
  • Sodium: 964.9 mg
  • Fat: 9.7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4.2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22.1 g
  • Fiber: 1.1 g
  • Protein: 5.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg