Lemon Butter Garlic Pasta Sauce (Pasta al Limone) Recipe
Lemon Butter Garlic Pasta Sauce, also known as Pasta al Limone, is a quick and flavorful Italian-inspired dish combining al dente linguine with a luscious sauce of butter, garlic, olive oil, fresh lemon juice and zest, red chili flakes, and Parmesan cheese. Garnished with fresh parsley, this bright and creamy pasta is perfect for a simple yet elegant meal ready in just 15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Pasta
- 300 g (10.5 oz) linguine or spaghetti
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 40 g (2 tablespoons) unsalted butter
- 6 garlic cloves, finely sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 50 g (1/2 cup) grated Parmesan or hard Italian vegetarian cheese
- A handful freshly chopped parsley
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the linguine or spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve 1-2 cups of the starchy pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Prepare Sauce Base: Heat the olive oil in a large pan or Dutch oven over low to medium heat. Add the unsalted butter and let it melt gently, combining with the olive oil.
- Sauté Garlic and Chili: Add the finely sliced garlic and red chili flakes to the pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the garlic softens and changes color, being careful not to let it burn to maintain the sauce's delicate flavor.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Transfer the drained pasta directly to the pan with the garlic butter sauce. Use kitchen tongs to toss and coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Add Lemon and Cheese: Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice. Then add the grated Parmesan cheese and toss well to combine, allowing the cheese to melt into the sauce for a creamy texture.
- Finish and Serve: Add the freshly chopped parsley, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with extra grated cheese and lemon zest for an added burst of flavor.
Notes
- Be careful not to burn the garlic during sautéing as it can turn bitter.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
- This dish is best served immediately for optimal freshness and taste.
- Vegetarian-friendly when using vegetarian hard Italian cheese.
