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Lemon Butter Garlic Pasta Sauce

A delightful blend of zesty lemon, creamy butter, and aromatic garlic, perfect for any gathering.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta Ingredients
  • 12 ounces Pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or gluten-free) Choose your favorite kind.
Sauce Ingredients
  • 4 tablespoons Butter For richness; can be substituted with olive oil.
  • 4 cloves Garlic Fresh garlic cloves, minced.
  • 1/4 cup Lemon Juice Freshly squeezed is best.
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest For a bright, citrus note.
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese Grated; nutritional yeast can be a dairy-free alternative.
  • to taste Salt For seasoning.
  • to taste Pepper For seasoning.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, saving a cup of the pasta water.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
  3. Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the fresh lemon juice and add the lemon zest. Stir well to combine.
  5. Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with the sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water to help the sauce cling to the pasta.
  6. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and grated parmesan cheese. Toss everything together until well combined.
  7. Garnish with fresh herbs, such as parsley or basil, if desired.

Notes

For added protein, consider adding grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp. This dish can be prepared with seasonal veggies for a vegetarian option and can be spiced up with red pepper flakes.