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Lemon Cream Pasta Sauce Recipe

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3.9 from 33 reviews

A quick and creamy Lemon Cream Sauce perfect for tossing with your favorite pasta. This luscious sauce combines garlic, Parmesan, and fresh lemon juice for a bright, indulgent flavor that comes together in just 15 minutes. Ideal for a delicious weeknight meal with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ - ½ teaspoon salt
  • 50 g Parmesan, finely grated
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice
  • Zest of a lemon
  • 200 g dried pasta or 300 g fresh pasta of your choice

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Before draining, reserve a cup of the pasta water and set it aside for later use.
  2. Prepare garlic in olive oil: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and let it gently sizzle for about one minute, making sure it does not brown.
  3. Add cream and simmer: Reduce the heat slightly, pour in the heavy cream, and bring it to a gentle simmer. Cook for about one minute to warm through.
  4. Melt in Parmesan: Add the grated Parmesan cheese in a few batches, whisking continuously to ensure it melts smoothly into the cream without clumping. Keep the heat low to maintain a gentle simmer.
  5. Season and thicken: Season the sauce with salt and black pepper, then allow it to bubble softly for one to two minutes until it thickens slightly.
  6. Combine pasta and sauce: Stir in the lemon juice quickly, then add the drained pasta directly to the pan. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly. Let it cook gently in the sauce for about a minute. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  7. Serve: Serve immediately, topped with extra grated Parmesan, lemon zest, and a generous crack of black pepper for an added burst of flavor.

Notes

  • Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
  • Be careful not to brown the garlic to avoid bitterness.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting and flavor.
  • Adjust salt according to the saltiness of the Parmesan cheese.
  • The lemon zest and juice add fresh brightness—do not omit.
  • Best served immediately for optimal texture and flavor.

Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/lemon-cream-pasta-sauce-recipe/