Description
A simple and flavorful Lemon Butter Garlic Pasta Sauce (Pasta al Limone) that combines linguine or spaghetti with a buttery garlic sauce, fresh lemon zest and juice, Parmesan cheese, and a hint of red chili flakes. Perfect for a quick, elegant meal packed with bright citrus and savory flavors.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta
- 300 g linguine or spaghetti
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 40 g unsalted butter (2 tablespoons)
- 6 garlic cloves, finely sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon red chilli flakes
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 50 g grated Parmesan or vegetarian hard Italian cheese (1/2 cup)
- A handful freshly chopped parsley
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Cook the linguine or spaghetti al dente in salted boiling water according to the package instructions. Reserve 1-2 cups of the starchy pasta cooking water before draining.
- Prepare the sauce base: While pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large pan or Dutch oven over low-medium heat, then melt the butter in it.
- Sauté garlic and chili: Add the finely sliced garlic and red chilli flakes to the butter and oil mixture. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the garlic becomes translucent and fragrant, taking care not to let it burn.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add the drained pasta directly into the pan with the garlic butter sauce. Toss well with kitchen tongs to coat the pasta evenly. Add reserved pasta water a splash at a time if the sauce looks too thick or dry.
- Add lemon and cheese: Stir in the lemon zest and juice, then add the grated Parmesan cheese. Toss again thoroughly until the cheese melts softly and combines with the sauce for a creamy finish.
- Finish and serve: Mix in the freshly chopped parsley and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, optionally topped with extra grated cheese and lemon zest for garnish.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency, using it to loosen the sauce without diluting flavor.
- Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the best vibrant citrus flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, ensure the Parmesan or Italian cheese is suitable (no animal rennet).
- Be careful not to burn garlic to avoid bitterness.
- The recipe can be easily doubled for a larger serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
