Basil Pasta with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and Easy: With minimal preparation and cooking time, this recipe is ideal for those busy days when you want a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Fresh and Flavorful: The combination of fresh basil, garlic, and lemon creates a vibrant and refreshing taste that appeals to a wide range of palates.
  • Simple Ingredients: Utilizing everyday ingredients like pasta, butter, garlic, and Parmesan cheese makes this dish both accessible and budget-friendly.
  • Meatless Option: Perfect for vegetarians or those looking to enjoy a meatless meal without compromising on flavor.

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons salted butter, divided
  • 5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • ½ lemon (preferably Meyer lemon), thinly sliced
  • 8 oz pasta (such as farfalle, fusilli, or penne)
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 oz fresh basil, chopped (add more to taste, up to 4 oz)
  • ½ cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

  1. Prepare the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce:
    • In a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter.
    • Add the thinly sliced lemon and minced garlic to the skillet.
    • Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lemon slices brown and release their juices, and the garlic becomes fragrant and lightly browned.
    • Remove the skillet from heat and add 2 more tablespoons of butter, stirring until it melts completely.
    • Carefully remove and discard the lemon slices from the skillet.
  2. Cook the Pasta:
    • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
    • Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
    • Drain the pasta, reserving a small amount of the pasta water.
  3. Combine Pasta with Sauce:
    • Add the hot, drained pasta to the skillet containing the lemon garlic butter sauce.
    • Place the skillet back over low-medium heat.
    • Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the freshly grated Parmesan cheese to the pasta.
    • Stir gently to combine, allowing the cheese to melt and coat the pasta evenly.
    • If the mixture appears too thick, add a small amount of the reserved pasta water to achieve the desired consistency.
  4. Incorporate Fresh Basil and Seasonings:
    • Remove the skillet from heat.
    • Stir in half of the chopped fresh basil, mixing thoroughly.
    • Season with freshly cracked black pepper and salt to taste.
  5. Serve:
    • Transfer the pasta to serving plates.
    • Garnish with the remaining fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, and additional cracked black pepper if desired.

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: This recipe yields approximately 4 servings.
  • Preparation Time: 10 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes

Variations

  • Add Protein: Incorporate grilled chicken, shrimp, or sautéed scallops to make the dish more substantial.
  • Vegetable Enhancements: Add roasted cherry tomatoes, sautéed spinach, or steamed asparagus for added flavor and nutrition.
  • Nut Substitutions: If pine nuts are unavailable, toasted almonds or walnuts can serve as excellent alternatives.
  • Cheese Options: Experiment with other cheeses like Pecorino Romano or Asiago for a different flavor profile.

Storage/Reheating

  • Storage: Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a small amount of butter or olive oil to prevent the pasta from drying out. Stir occasionally until warmed through.

FAQs

What type of pasta works best for this recipe?

Short pasta shapes like farfalle (bow-tie), fusilli, or penne are ideal as they hold the sauce well.

Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?

Fresh basil is recommended for its vibrant flavor, but if unavailable, use dried basil sparingly, as it has a more concentrated taste.

Is there a substitute for pine nuts?

Toasted almonds or walnuts can be used as alternatives to pine nuts.

Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute regular pasta with your preferred gluten-free pasta variety.

How can I add more protein to this dish?

Adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or sautéed scallops can enhance the protein content.

What if I don’t have Meyer lemons?

Regular lemons can be used, though they are more acidic. Consider adding a small pinch

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Basil Pasta with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

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  • Author: Isabella
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian
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Description

Basil Pasta with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce is a light, fresh, and flavorful dish that comes together in just 30 minutes. Made with simple ingredients like pasta, fresh basil, garlic, lemon, and Parmesan, this easy meatless meal is perfect for busy weeknights or summer dinners. The bright citrus notes paired with aromatic basil and rich butter make this pasta irresistibly delicious.

 

Ingredients

  • 6 tbsp salted butter, divided
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ lemon (preferably Meyer lemon), thinly sliced
  • 8 oz pasta (farfalle, fusilli, or penne)
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 oz fresh basil, chopped (up to 4 oz for more flavor)
  • ½ cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

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  • repare the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce:
    • In a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tbsp of butter.
    • Add thinly sliced lemon and minced garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes until the lemon slices brown and release their juices, and the garlic becomes fragrant.
    • Remove the skillet from heat, add 2 more tbsp of butter, and stir until melted.
    • Remove and discard the lemon slices.
  • Cook the Pasta:
    • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
    • Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
    • Drain the pasta, reserving a small amount of the pasta water.
  • Combine Pasta with Sauce:
    • Add the hot, drained pasta to the skillet with the lemon garlic butter sauce.
    • Place over low-medium heat and add the remaining 2 tbsp butter and Parmesan cheese.
    • Stir until the cheese melts and coats the pasta evenly.
    • If needed, add reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
  • Incorporate Fresh Basil and Seasonings:
    • Remove from heat and stir in half of the chopped basil.
    • Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
  • Serve:
    • Transfer to serving plates.
    • Garnish with remaining basil, toasted pine nuts, and extra black pepper if desired.

Notes

  • Add Protein: Try adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or sautéed scallops.
  • Vegetable Enhancements: Roasted cherry tomatoes, spinach, or asparagus work well.
  • Nut Substitutions: Swap pine nuts with toasted almonds or walnuts.
  • Cheese Options: Use Pecorino Romano or Asiago for a different flavor.
  • Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Reheating: Warm in a skillet over low heat with a bit of butter or olive oil.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Pasta, Vegetarian, Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian

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