I live for Sunday pasta. It's easy, comforting and let's be serious, carbs make us happy :)
Every now and then I like to switch it up from the traditional tomato sauce, so Pasta al Limone is hands down my go-to! My husband loves anything lemon (lemon chicken, bars, cookies, even just a plain ol' lemon) so this is a household favorite for us.
Side secret, it's quick to make on the weekend too!
What you'll need!
8 ounces dried or fresh spaghetti or similar long pasta (fettuccine is good too!)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup heavy cream
3 medium lemons plus additional for serving
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese *live your life, extra cheese on anything is a WIN so if you desire more then sprinkle on!!
Freshly ground black pepper
Shaved parmesan cheese for garnish
Dried vs. Fresh
Long story short, use whatever you have on hand. If time and planning allows it, try fresh pasta for any cream/dairy based sauces. My favorite brand of fresh pasta is from Wegmans.
What you'll do!
Simmer
Take a vegetable peeler and shave 2" long strips of lemon zest. Cut the same lemon into slices and place all slices into a deep pot (I use a dutch oven but any deep sauce pan will do!)
Take remaining lemons and cut in half. Squeeze fully for fresh lemon juice, set juice aside - you'll use this soon!
Add the cream, on medium heat, whisking often, until liquid is just beginning to simmer, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Throw in 1 tbsp of butter at a time and whisk until melted. Use all of it! Once sauce looks creamy remove from heat.
Boil
Bring a medium pot of salted water to a full rolling boil - drop your pasta into the pot and cook for 8-10 minutes (dried pasta) Fresh pasta will cook 2-5 minutes so check the directions.
PAUSE - before you drain your pasta, reserve 1 cup of pasta water from the pot. The water should look cloudy, salty and filled with starch from the cooked pasta.
Add 1 cup pasta cooking liquid to cream sauce, return to medium heat. Using tongs, transfer pasta to pot with sauce and toss often. Add Parmesan a little at a time until sauce is creamy and cheese is melted - about 3 minutes.
Stir in reserved lemon juice and season with freshly ground black pepper. Top with shaved parmesan cheese.
Enjoy! Xx
