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how to make lemon butter sauce for pasta

Lemon Butter Sauce for Pasta

This lemon butter sauce for pasta is a quick and delightful recipe, bursting with zesty flavor and perfect for busy weeknights. With just a handful of ingredients, it’s rich, creamy, and ready in under 30 minutes!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 162
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz spaghetti
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic (minced)
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Method
 

  1. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions and reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, careful not to burn the garlic.
  3. Stir in the lemon zest and juice, followed by the cooked spaghetti. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water gradually until you reach your desired sauce thickness.
  4. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, mix well and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  5. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and additional cheese if desired.

Notes

Nutrition Information Source: Data from USDA FoodData Central Values are approximate and may vary based on specific brands and preparation methods.