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An extreme close-up shot of creamy lemon garlic pasta being twirled on a fork, showing the rich texture of the lemon garlic pasta sauce.

Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta (Quick & Easy Weeknight Recipe)

An incredibly luscious and easy Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta recipe that's ready in under 30 minutes. This dish features a velvety, bright sauce with fresh lemon, savory garlic, and rich Parmesan cheese, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 12 oz linguine or spaghetti
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 6 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 large lemon zested and juiced (about 1/4 cup juice)
  • 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot
  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 Whisk

Method
 

Main
  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: While pasta cooks, melt butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  3. Build the Sauce: Whisk in the chicken broth, then stir in the heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
  4. Temper and Season: Reduce heat to low. Slowly whisk in the lemon juice, then stir in the lemon zest. Remove from heat.
  5. Add Cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Combine: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to reach the desired consistency.
  7. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Notes

Tip 1: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the smoothest, creamiest sauce.
Tip 2: Don't skip reserving the pasta water; it's essential for creating the perfect sauce consistency.
Tip 3: For an extra rich sauce, you can use all butter instead of the butter and olive oil combination.