Description
This Lemon Basil Butter Pasta is a delightful dish that combines the freshness of basil and lemon with the richness of butter and Parmesan cheese. It’s a quick and easy recipe that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 ounces pasta (such as spaghetti or linguine)
Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- extra basil leaves and Parmesan for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain.
- Make the sauce: In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic, lemon zest, and juice. Stir.
- Combine: Toss pasta in skillet with sauce. Add basil and Parmesan. If dry, add reserved pasta water gradually. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve: Garnish with basil and Parmesan. Serve hot.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, add a splash of heavy cream.
- Substitute basil with fresh parsley or spinach for a different herbaceous note.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling, stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
