Pasta al Limone with Basil and Parmesan

Name: Pasta al Limone with Basil and Parmesan
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italy
Ingredients: 250 g of pasta; 2 unwaxed lemon; 1 bunch of basil (fresh); 50 g of parmesan (grated); 2 tbsp of olive oil; 2 garlic cloves; 30 g of butter; 1 pinch of salt; 1 pinch of black pepper (ground)

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Light, fragrant pasta brightened with lemon, fresh basil and a touch of Parmesan for a simple, delicious Italian dish.

Total time: 30 min
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 15 min
Difficulty: Easy
Per person: €0.75

By the CookinBreak team

Ingredients 9

servings

Estimated cost €3.00

Equipment

Skillet
Saucepan
Cutting board
Citrus juicer
Knife
Grater

Instructions

Tap a number to check off the step, and a time to start a timer.

Wash the lemons. Zest one lemon and squeeze the juice of both lemons. Finely chop the garlic, chop the basil and grate the Parmesan.

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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente. Save a ladleful of the cooking water before draining.

In a large skillet, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté gently without coloring.

Pour the lemon juice and zest into the skillet. Heat briefly to blend the flavors.

Off the heat, add half of the Parmesan. Season with the salt and pepper.

Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Stir in a little cooking water to get a creamy texture. Toss gently.

Add the chopped basil last to keep it as fresh as possible.

Serve immediately with the rest of the Parmesan and a few basil leaves.

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Goes well with

🎅 Christmas: all recipes

As a starter

Fresh Chickpea Salad

15 minEasy

For dessert

5.0

Chocolate Banana Loaf Cake

1 hEasy

To drink

Cranberry Orange Cocktail

10 minEasy

Nutrition facts

per serving · estimate

360kcal

Protein14 g16%
Carbs49 g57%
Fat10 g26%
Fiber3 g

Share of each nutrient in the calories of one serving.

Good to know

Chef's tip

For a creamier sauce, add a tablespoon of pasta cooking water to the lemon sauce before tossing it with the pasta. You can also add a little heavy cream for an even silkier texture.

Freezing : Can you freeze this recipe?

Not recommended

The pasta turns soft and the sauce may separate. Does not keep its original texture.

Storage : How long does it keep?

Pasta absorbs the sauce and loses its texture. Basil/lemon freshness diminished.

Making ahead : Can you make it the day before?

Same day

Not recommended for the assembled dish. Sauce thickens, pasta goes soft. Assemble just before serving.

Reheating : How do you reheat it?

Reheat gently in the microwave (medium power 2-3 min) or in a saucepan (low heat 5 min) with a splash of water so the pasta does not dry out and stick. Quality diminished.

Variations

Add the chopped basil last to keep it fresh.
Serve with the rest of the Parmesan and a few basil leaves.
Adjust the texture with a little pasta water.

Mistakes to avoid

Forgetting to save the pasta water: it is what makes the sauce creamy.
Browning the garlic: sauté it gently without coloring.
Adding the Parmesan over high heat: stir in half of it off the heat.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get a creamy sauce without cream?

Save a ladleful of pasta water before draining, then stir a little into the pasta in the skillet with the butter, the lemon and the Parmesan: the starch binds the sauce and makes it silky.

When should you add the lemon?

Once the garlic has gently softened without browning, pour the lemon juice and zest into the skillet and heat briefly to blend the flavors, before adding the pasta.

When should you add the Parmesan?

Off the heat, add half of the Parmesan to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Keep the other half for serving, with a few fresh basil leaves on the plates.

Which pasta should you choose?

Any shape works: cook 250 g of pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, then drain, keeping a little of the cooking water.