Description
Zesty one pot lemon garlic parmesan pasta brings Italian comfort straight to your kitchen. Creamy, tangy flavors dance together, creating a simple yet elegant meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) linguine or spaghetti
- 4 cups (946 milliliters) chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup (100 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Flavor Enhancers:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1/4 cup (15 grams) fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Cooking and Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Assemble all ingredients and a large pot or deep skillet, ensuring everything is within easy reach for a seamless cooking experience.
- Combine linguine or spaghetti, chicken or vegetable broth, olive oil, minced garlic, and lemon zest in the pot, distributing ingredients evenly to promote uniform cooking.
- Heat the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low, maintaining a gentle simmer. Stir frequently to prevent pasta from sticking or clumping.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes at medium-low heat, monitoring until pasta reaches al dente texture and most liquid transforms into a sauce-like consistency.
- Remove pot from heat and immediately incorporate lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream. Whisk vigorously until ingredients meld into a smooth, creamy sauce that coats the pasta.
- Season the dish with chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Add red pepper flakes for an optional spicy dimension, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- Allow the pasta to rest for 2-3 minutes, enabling the sauce to slightly thicken and develop deeper flavor integration.
- Plate the pasta while hot, garnishing with additional Parmesan and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately to enjoy the optimal texture and temperature.
Notes
- Swap pasta types easily by using gluten-free or whole wheat options to suit different dietary needs without compromising taste.
- Reduce dairy content by using plant-based cream and nutritional yeast instead of heavy cream and Parmesan for a vegan-friendly version.
- Balance the dish’s richness by adding fresh vegetables like spinach or cherry tomatoes during the final cooking stage for extra nutrition and color.
- Customize protein levels by incorporating cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu directly into the pasta for a more substantial meal that fits various eating preferences.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 575
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 66 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg