It’s bright, it’s creamy, and it’s herbaceous. And the best part is it can all be made in just 20 minutes. This Lemon Basil Pasta is the perfect dish to serve for a weeknight dinner.
The Easiest 20-Minute Pasta Recipe
When you’re at the end of a busy day, the last thing you probably want to do is spend hours making dinner. I never want to be on my feet slaving over the stove after a full day of work and kids! But, I ALWAYS want to eat something delicious. Do you see my problem?
Thankfully, this Lemon Basil Pasta is quick and delicious so I can have a delicious bowl of comfort in just under half an hour!
Ingredients for Lemon Basil Pasta
To make this flavorful and creamy pasta dish, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 8 oz linguini
- Zest and juice of 1/2-1 lemon (depending on how lemony you like it)
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup finely grated Parmesan
- Sea salt – to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper – to taste
- Fresh basil – for garnish
How to Make Lemon Basil Pasta
Step 1: Cook the Linguini Start by cooking the linguini according to the package directions. Be sure to salt the water generously to season the pasta as it cooks. Once done, drain the pasta, saving about 1/4 cup of pasta water to help with the sauce if needed.
Step 2: Prepare the Lemon Cream Sauce While your pasta is cooking, zest the lemon and add the zest to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Let the zest cook for about 1 minute to release its aroma. Then, pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Add Butter and Cheese Next, add the unsalted butter, one tablespoon at a time, stirring until it’s completely melted and incorporated into the sauce. Once the butter is fully blended, add the finely grated Parmesan cheese, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir over medium heat until the cheese melts, creating a smooth, creamy sauce.
Step 4: Add the Lemon Juice Squeeze in the lemon juice, starting with 1/2 of the lemon. Taste the sauce and adjust the lemon juice to your preference—more juice for extra zing!
Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce Add the cooked linguini to the sauce and toss to combine, making sure every noodle is coated with that luscious, creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve Top your pasta with fresh basil leaves, a little extra lemon zest, and more black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, and enjoy the fresh and tangy flavors of this amazing dish!
What to Serve with Lemon Basil Pasta
This dish is great on its own, but I know some people have to hit their protein goals. I would personally love to add my protein with a big dollop of creamy burrata cheese on top, but grilled chicken would also be great.
For dessert, definitely make my Salted Malted Chocolate Chip Cookies!
I Hope You Love This Recipe!
I hope you love this recipe as much as I do! If you want to see more recipes, feel free to peruse my site or follow along on Instagram!
Lemon Basil Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 oz linguini
- Zest and juice of 1/2-1 lemon depending on how lemony you like it
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup finely grated Parmesan
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water.
- Meanwhile, add lemon zest to saucepan and cook over medium heat for 1 minute. Add cream to lemon zest and heat until it begins to simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Add the butter, one Tbsp at a time until it has completely melted and incorporated into the sauce. Add the grated parmesan, sea salt, and black pepper, and stir over medium heat until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy. Add the lemon juice, starting with 1/2 lemon and adjusting to your preference. Add some reserved past water to thin your sauce, if you like.
- Combine the pasta and the sauce. Top with fresh basil, more lemon zest, and black pepper. Enjoy!
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