How to Make the Perfect This Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta Will Make You Fall in Love with Dinner
Italian · Easy · 25 minutes min · 4 servings
A delightful blend of creamy sauce, garlic, and a zesty touch of lemon makes this pasta irresistible! Perfect for a romantic dinner or a cozy night in.
Why this recipe works
This This Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta Will Make You Fall in Love with Dinner recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 25 minutes minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 590 calories with 18g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 15 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 12 oz pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 lemon zest
- 1 lemon juice
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup spinach, fresh
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
- 0.5 cup broccoli, chopped
- 0.5 cup mushrooms, sliced
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Boil salted water and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Sauté the Garlic
In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Step 3: Prepare the Sauce
Add heavy cream to the pan, stirring well. Bring to a simmer and add lemon zest, lemon juice, black pepper, and salt.
Step 4: Mix in Vegetables
Add spinach, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, and mushrooms to the sauce. Cook until vegetables are tender, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to combine. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
Step 6: Serve and Garnish
Plate the pasta and garnish with chopped parsley and additional Parmesan if desired.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- heavy cream → coconut cream
- Parmesan cheese → nutritional yeast
- spinach → kale
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Overcooking the pasta which makes it mushy.
- Not seasoning the water properly when cooking pasta.
- Adding cold cream directly to hot pan instead of warming it up first.
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 590 calories, 18g protein, 75g carbs, 25g fat, 3g fiber.
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