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Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta Recipe Easy Homemade Basil Parmesan Delight

creamy lemon garlic pasta - featured image

A bright yet rich creamy lemon garlic pasta with fresh basil and Parmesan, perfect for quick and comforting dinners. This easy recipe combines a luscious lemon-garlic cream sauce with fresh herbs and cheese for a family-approved meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 g) fettuccine or linguine pasta
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 cup (100 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil (about 15 leaves)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340 g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually about 8–10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 3 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
  3. Lower heat to medium-low and pour in 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream. Stir gently to combine with the garlic butter mixture. Let it simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
  4. Stir in the juice and zest of 1 large lemon. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it.
  5. Gradually sprinkle in 1 cup (100 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese while stirring continuously to melt smoothly into the sauce.
  6. Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss gently to coat every strand with the creamy lemon garlic sauce. Add reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time if needed to reach desired consistency.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Toss gently.
  8. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan and basil.

Notes

Use fresh garlic and freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and smooth sauce texture. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Avoid burning garlic to prevent bitterness. Serve immediately as sauce thickens upon cooling. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Gluten-free pasta options like brown rice or chickpea pasta work well.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy lemon garlic pasta, basil pasta, Parmesan pasta, easy pasta recipe, quick dinner, comfort food, lemon garlic sauce