This Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta is the perfect combination of creamy, tangy, and savory flavors. With minimal ingredients and effort, this dish delivers rich, comforting pasta that’s sure to satisfy your cravings. The zesty lemon and fragrant garlic blend beautifully in a luscious cream sauce, making this your new favorite pasta!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Quick and Easy: Ready in just 25 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
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Lemon and Garlic Perfection: The creamy sauce paired with fresh lemon and garlic is a match made in heaven.
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Minimal Ingredients: You only need a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.
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Versatile: Perfect as a main dish or a side, and you can add veggies, chicken, or shrimp for extra protein.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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3 tablespoons unsalted butter
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3 garlic cloves, minced
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1 lemon, juiced
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500 ml heavy cream
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3 tablespoons parsley, chopped
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¾ cup parmesan cheese, grated
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300g spaghetti (or your preferred pasta)
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Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Prepare the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until it reaches al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.
2. Cook the Garlic
In a large skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the garlic becomes fragrant and golden brown.
3. Add Lemon Juice
Once the garlic is golden, pour in the freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir well to combine, allowing the flavors to meld together.
4. Simmer with Heavy Cream
Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the garlic and lemon mixture. Stir to combine. Let the mixture simmer on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce begins to thicken slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent it from sticking.
5. Add in the Spaghetti
Once the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency, add the cooked pasta to the skillet, along with ½ cup of pasta water. Using tongs or a pasta fork, toss the spaghetti in the creamy sauce until evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting as needed.
6. Finish with Parsley and Parmesan
Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the chopped parsley over the pasta and grate the Parmesan cheese on top. Gently toss again to incorporate the parsley and cheese throughout the dish.
7. Serve
Transfer the Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta to serving plates. Garnish with additional parsley and Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy!
Notes
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Add-ins: You can easily customize this pasta by adding cooked chicken, shrimp, or roasted vegetables for added flavor and protein.
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Vegan Option: Use a dairy-free cream alternative and vegan Parmesan for a plant-based version.
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Extra Creamy: For an even richer sauce, add a little extra cream or cheese.
Nutrition
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Calories: 416 kcal
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Carbohydrates: 23g
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Protein: 4g
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Fat: 9g
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Saturated Fat: 5g
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Fiber: 2g
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Sugar: 7g
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Cholesterol: 20mg
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Sodium: 450mg
Conclusion
This Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta is the perfect balance of creamy richness, zesty freshness, and savory depth. It’s quick, simple, and perfect for any occasion—whether you’re enjoying it on a busy weeknight or serving it at a dinner party. Enjoy every bite of this comforting dish!
Print
Easy Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
This Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta is a quick, easy, and comforting dish with a luscious cream sauce, fresh lemon, and fragrant garlic. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s the perfect weeknight meal that satisfies your cravings.
Ingredients
3 tbsp unsalted butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 lemon, juiced
500 ml heavy cream
3 tbsp parsley, chopped
¾ cup parmesan cheese, grated
300g spaghetti (or preferred pasta)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Pasta – Boil salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions, and drain.
- Cook Garlic – In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Sauté minced garlic for 2 minutes until golden.
- Add Lemon Juice – Stir in freshly squeezed lemon juice and combine with garlic.
- Simmer with Cream – Pour in heavy cream and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken.
- Add Pasta – Add cooked pasta and ½ cup of pasta water to the sauce. Toss to coat evenly. Season with salt and pepper.
- Finish with Parsley and Parmesan – Remove from heat and toss in chopped parsley and grated parmesan cheese.
- Serve – Transfer to plates, garnish with more parsley and cheese, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Add-ins: Customize with chicken, shrimp, or roasted vegetables for extra protein.
- Vegan Option: Swap heavy cream for dairy-free alternatives and use vegan Parmesan.
- Extra Creamy: Add more cream or cheese for an even richer sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian