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Best Easy Spaghetti al Limone Recipe

Name: Best Easy Spaghetti al Limone Recipe
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 220 g
Ingredients: spaghetti 12 oz; heavy cream 1 cup; Parmesan cheese 0.75 cup; lemon zest 2 tbsp; lemon juice 0.25 cup; unsalted butter 2 tbsp; salt 1.25 tsp; black pepper 0.5 tsp; fresh basil 0.25 cup

Bright lemon cream sauce coats spaghetti in this refreshing southern Italian vegetarian dish. A fresh, light mediterranean meal that's perfect for warm-weather family dinners.

Cook 30 min Difficulty EASY 430 kcal

#mediterranean #vegetarian

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Ingredients

Main ingredients

spaghetti 12 oz
heavy cream 1 cup
Parmesan cheese 0.75 cup
lemon zest 2 tbsp
lemon juice 0.25 cup
unsalted butter 2 tbsp

Seasonings/Sauce

salt 1.25 tsp
black pepper 0.5 tsp
fresh basil 0.25 cup

Nutrition summary

Carbohydrates 62 g 58%

Protein 11 g 10%

Fat 15 g 32%

Serving size 220g

Cooking steps

1

Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the spaghetti until just al dente, about 8–9 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
2

While pasta cooks, in a wide skillet over medium heat, melt unsalted butter. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer; do not boil.
3

Stir in lemon zest and lemon juice. Let sauce gently cook for 1 minute, then whisk in Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy.
4

Add drained spaghetti to the skillet with sauce, tossing over low heat for 1–2 minutes. Add reserved pasta water as needed for a silky consistency.
5

Season with salt and pepper, taste and adjust. Remove from heat, scatter fresh basil, and serve immediately—ensuring sauce is glossy and clings to the noodles.

Personalized Q&A

Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?

The defining ingredient in Spaghetti al Limone is lemon, featured as both zest and juice. It delivers vibrant citrus flavor and freshness, while the combination of heavy cream and Parmesan cheese creates the signature silky, creamy sauce.

Q. What is the main cooking technique for the sauce?

The sauce is gently simmered on medium heat without boiling, which is crucial for keeping the cream smooth and preventing curdling. Whisking in the Parmesan gradually ensures a velvety texture. Tossing the pasta with the sauce over low heat finishes the dish with perfect gloss.

Q. How can I avoid ending up with a dry or clumpy pasta?

To maintain the creamy texture, reserve pasta water and add it slowly when tossing spaghetti in the sauce. This keeps the sauce fluid and clingy. Avoid overheating after cheese is added, which can cause clumping. Serve promptly for best results.

Q. What are the nutrition stats per serving in this pasta?

Each serving of Spaghetti al Limone contains about 430 kcal, 62g carbohydrates (58% of calories), 11g protein (10%), and 15g fat (32%), making it a light, vegetarian Mediterranean meal ideal for warm days.

Best Easy Spaghetti al Limone Recipe

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