How to Make the Perfect Creamy Lemon Asparagus Penne
Italian · Easy · 15 min · 4 servings
This creamy lemon asparagus penne is a bright and elegant 15 minute pasta dish that feels like spring in every bite. The combination of tangy lemon cream sauce and tender asparagus makes this quick recipe both light and indulgent at the same time.
Why this recipe works
This Creamy Lemon Asparagus Penne recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 15 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 430 calories with 14g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 300 g penne pasta
- 300 g asparagus trimmed and cut into pieces
- 180 ml heavy cream
- 1 whole lemon zested and juiced
- 60 g grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic minced
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Cook Pasta and Asparagus
Boil penne in well salted water and add asparagus pieces in the last 3 minutes of cooking then drain together reserving half a cup of pasta water.
Step 2: Make Lemon Cream Sauce
In the same pot or a skillet cook garlic for 30 seconds then add heavy cream lemon zest and lemon juice and simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
Step 3: Add Parmesan
Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth then season generously with salt and black pepper.
Step 4: Toss and Serve
Add drained pasta and asparagus to the sauce and toss well adding reserved pasta water to loosen if needed then serve immediately with extra Parmesan.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- asparagus → frozen peas stirred in at the end for an even quicker option
- heavy cream → creme fraiche for a tangier richer sauce
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Adding too much lemon juice at once making the sauce too acidic before tasting and adjusting
- Not reserving pasta water making the sauce too thick and unable to coat the pasta evenly
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 430 calories, 14g protein, 56g carbs, 16g fat, 5g fiber.
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