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–+ servings
Creamy lemon spaghetti served in a wite bowl with fresh herbs, with a fork and knife twirling the pasta.

Spaghetti with Lemon Cream sauce

A bright and creamy lemon pasta made with Pecorino, Parmesan, and fresh herbs. Elegant, easy, and ready in under 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course Main Course, Pasta, Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 people
Calories 661 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot (for boiling pasta)
  • large sauté' pan

Ingredients
  

  • 16 ounces spaghetti
  • 2 lemons, zested
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2-3 tablespoons fresh basil leaves chopped
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Reserved pasta water

Instructions
 

  • Cook the spaghetti in generously salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  • In a large sauté pan over medium-low heat, warm the olive oil and butter. Stir in the lemon zest and cook for 30 seconds to release its oils.
  • Add the cream and lemon juice, stir, and simmer gently for 2 minutes to slightly thicken the sauce.
  • Add the cooked spaghetti and 2 tablespoons of reserved pasta water to the pan. Toss to coat evenly.
  • Turn off the heat and sprinkle in the Pecorino and Parmesan cheeses. Stir quickly until melted and smooth. Add more pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and create a glossy texture.
  • Add the fresh chopped basil. Season with freshly ground black pepper.
  • Serve immediately, topped with extra cheese and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

Notes

 
      • Don’t skip the reserved pasta water! It’s key to binding the sauce and giving it a glossy texture.
      • Add cheese off heat: To prevent clumping or curdling, stir the cheese in once the pan is off the burner.
      • Low and slow: Simmer the cream gently—too high heat can cause it to break.
      • Protein pairings: This pasta shines alongside grilled shrimp, fish, or a simple lemony chicken breast.
      • Taste before salting: Pecorino Romano is naturally salty, and your pasta water is salted too. Always taste the sauce before adding additional salt—you might not need any at all.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 661kcalCarbohydrates: 87gProtein: 18gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 126mgPotassium: 304mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 772IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 105mgIron: 2mg
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