Bright, creamy, and beautifully simple – this Pasta al Limone is a true gem of the Italian kitchen. Made with just a few ingredients, like fresh lemon, real Parmesan and butter, it’s ready in minutes and packed with flavor. A perfect summer pasta that feels both elegant and effortless. 🍋🍝
Pasta al Limone – Creamy Italian Lemon Pasta 🍋
Stefie
2
10 minutes
9-15 minutes
Italian
Pasta
Ingredients
- 200 g (7 oz) spaghetti or linguine
- 30 g (2 tbsp) unsalted butter
- 1 organic lemon (zest + juice)
- 60 g (½ cup) freshly grated Parmesan
- ~80 ml (⅓ cup) hot pasta water
- Salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper (use generously!)
Directions
- Cook the pasta:Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente – about 1 minute less than the package says. Reserve at least 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
- Prep the lemon:While the pasta cooks, zest the lemon and squeeze the juice from half of it (you can save the rest for garnish or a touch more acidity if needed).
- Start the sauce:In a large pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the lemon zest and lemon juice. Stir well and season generously with freshly cracked black pepper. Add 2–3 tablespoons of hot pasta water and let it emulsify.
- Add the pasta & cheese:Transfer the drained pasta directly to the pan with the sauce. Reduce the heat. Add Parmesan gradually while tossing the pasta constantly – use more hot pasta water as needed to create a glossy, creamy coating. The sauce should cling to the pasta without being too thick.
- Taste & serve:Taste and adjust salt or lemon juice to your liking. Serve immediately with more Parmesan and a sprinkle of black pepper on top. Optional: garnish with lemon slices.
Hi! I’m Stefie 👩🏻🍳
with over 10 years of experience in Michelin-starred & simpler kitchens. I am so committed to the mission of sharing INSIDER TRICKS from the professional kitchen & exclusive recipes. Join me & elevate your kitchen journey today :)
Unlock my cheatsheets & get
Learn professional techniques for your home, SAVE money & 182 hours in the kitchen while boosting your cooking skills with ease. All that for LESS THAN A CUP OF COFFEE ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
