This recipe for easy, creamy lemon garlic pasta is a great staple dish that is made with just a few ingredients in 20 minutes.
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time10 minutesmins
Total Time20 minutesmins
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 4people
Author: Caitlin Charlton
Ingredients
1lbpastaI like using spaghetti
1tablespoonbutter
2teaspoongrated garlic
¼teaspoonred pepper flakesmore or less depending on spice preference
1.5cupsheavy whipping cream
1tablespoonlemon zestabout 1 lemon
2tablespoonlemon juiceabout 1 lemon
½teaspoonfinely chopped fresh thyme leaves
1tablespoonfreshly chopped parsleyplus more for serving if desired
½cupgrated parmesan cheese
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepperto taste
Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add pasta and a large pinch of salt and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Drain.
Meanwhile, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and red chili flakes and stir until fragrant, about 1 or 2 minutes (careful not to burn the garlic).
To the saucepan, add cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, thyme, and parsley. Bring to a low boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally (be careful the cream doesn't boil over), until you can run your spoon along the bottom of your pan and see the bottom for a few seconds.
Stir in the parmesan. Add pasta and toss to combine. If the sauce is too thick, slowly add 1 tablespoon at a time of reserved pasta water until sauce coats the pasta. Serve immediately and top with fresh parsley, if desired.
Video
Notes
This amount of chili flakes gives just a slight kick. Feel free to omit if you do not like spice, or increase if you are craving more spice.
Recipe was originally posted on September 15, 2020 and updated on February 16, 2023.