Lemon Butter Garlic Pasta Sauce (Pasta al Limone) Recipe
A bright and flavorful Lemon Butter Garlic Pasta Sauce, also known as Pasta al Limone, combining zesty lemon, rich butter, and aromatic garlic to create a simple yet elegant dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling and Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
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 chilli flakes
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 50 g (1/2 cup) grated Parmesan (or veggie hard Italian cheese)
- A handful freshly chopped parsley
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine or spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1-2 cups of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Heat the base of the sauce: In a large pan or Dutch oven, warm the olive oil over medium-low heat, then add the unsalted butter and melt it gently without browning.
- Sauté the garlic: Add the finely sliced garlic and red chilli flakes to the melted butter and oil mixture. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the garlic softens and becomes fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Transfer the drained pasta directly into the pan with the garlic butter sauce. Toss well with kitchen tongs to coat the pasta fully. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if the sauce appears too thick or dry.
- Add lemon and cheese: Stir in the lemon zest and juice, then sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together thoroughly to meld the flavors and create a creamy coating on the pasta.
- Finish and serve: Fold in the freshly chopped parsley and season the pasta with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately with extra grated cheese and lemon zest on top if desired.
Notes
- Use good quality fresh lemons for the best bright citrus flavor.
- Reserve pasta water is key for adjusting sauce consistency.
- Adjust garlic and chilli flakes quantity based on your preferred spice level.
- Vegetarian option: Use vegetarian Parmesan or hard Italian cheese without animal rennet.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 150 g cooked pasta with sauce)
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Keywords: Lemon butter pasta, Pasta al Limone, garlic butter sauce, easy Italian pasta, quick pasta recipe, lemon garlic pasta
