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Italian Lemon Garlic Pasta

A bright, creamy, and zesty Italian pasta dish featuring garlic, lemon, olive oil, and Parmesan — ready in just 25 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 lemon zest and juice
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
  • 0.5 cup reserved pasta water
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley optional

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Skillet
  • Tongs
  • Zester

Method
 

  1. Bring salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. In a skillet, heat olive oil and butter. Sauté garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  3. Add lemon zest and juice, stir for 30 seconds.
  4. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat.
  5. Gradually add pasta water and Parmesan, tossing until a creamy sauce forms.
  6. Season with salt, pepper, and garnish with parsley. Serve immediately.

Notes

For extra creaminess, stir in a splash of heavy cream or mascarpone.