Recipe Instructions:
Ingredients
200 g pasta spaghetti or other long-shaped noodles (linguine, fettuccine, pappardelle, etc)
120 ml pasta water needed for the lemon pasta sauce
2 garlic cloves adjust to taste
1 lemon medium, zest and juice
2 Tbsp butter unsalted; use dairy-free butter if preferred
1 Tbsp olive oil extra virgin
2 Tbsp heavy cream (double cream) optional, omit for lighter texture; use cashew/oat cream for a dairy-free option
salt and pepper to taste
30-60 g grated parmesan to taste; use nutritional yeast/vegan parmesan if preferred
Check the blog post for lots of recipe adaptations and mix-ins.
Instructions
Step one: Prepare the Pasta
Cook the pasta of your choice according to the package instructions (use slightly less water than you usually would, so it becomes starchier for adding to the sauce), minus 1-2 minutes. This should make it the perfect al dente consistency.
Once cooked, drain the pasta, leaving around a cup (or slightly more) of the starchy pasta boiling water behind. This will help to make the lemon garlic pasta sauce. Of course, you won't need it all, but it's good to have, just in case.
Step 2: Prepare the Pasta Sauce
While your pasta cooks, mince or grate the garlic, and zest and juice the lemon.
It's easier to zest the lemon first before juicing. I recommend zesting the entire lemon, as you can save any leftovers in the freezer to use that another time.
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Then increase the heat slightly until the ingredients sizzle and allow it to cook, stirring regularly, for a further 30 to 40 seconds.
Add the pasta water (I recommend using up to half a cup, you can always add more if desired after mixing in the pasta). Then, if using it, add the cream. This should be done just before mixing in the pasta.
You can also optionally add the parmesan directly into the sauce at this point so it melts into it. However, I usually use it to garnish the dish when serving.
Step 3: Assemble and Serve the Lemon Pasta
Stir in the cooked pasta and continue to cook for just one to two minutes more until heated through.
Then transfer to your plate/bowl and serve with some salt and pepper to taste, parmesan cheese, and optionally more lemon zest.
You could also add an optional pinch of red pepper flakes and some finely chopped parsley to garnish! Then, it's time to enjoy the creamy lemon parmesan pasta!
