A quick and easy creamy lemon pasta recipe perfect for busy weeknights. This one-pot dish delivers restaurant-quality flavor in under 20 minutes.
Author:leogrant
Prep Time:5 min
Cook Time:15 min
Total Time:20 min
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Dinner
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:Italian-American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
12 oz linguine or spaghetti
1 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 1–2 lemons)
Zest of 1 lemon
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
In a large skillet or pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add the dry pasta, broth, and heavy cream to the skillet. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened.
Remove from heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
For added protein, stir in cooked chicken or shrimp during the last few minutes of cooking.
To lighten the sauce, you can substitute half of the heavy cream with plain Greek yogurt.
This recipe is a great base for meal planning, offering a quick and satisfying dinner option.