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Creamy Lemon Asparagus Pasta

creamy lemon asparagus pasta - featured image
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A quick and easy pasta dish featuring tender asparagus, a bright lemon cream sauce, and fresh Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a comforting yet fresh homemade dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces fettuccine or linguine
  • 1 bunch asparagus (about 1 pound), trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • Zest and juice of 1 medium lemon
  • 1 cup fresh Parmesan cheese, finely grated (about 100 grams)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Optional: chopped parsley or basil for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain pasta and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add asparagus and sauté for 4-5 minutes until tender-crisp and bright green. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Remove asparagus from skillet and set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium and melt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter in the same skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding browning.
  4. Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and stir to combine. Stir in lemon zest and juice. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a splash at a time to loosen. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Add drained pasta and cooked asparagus back into the skillet. Toss gently to coat evenly with sauce. Adjust consistency with more pasta water if needed.
  6. Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
  7. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley or basil and extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook asparagus; it should be tender-crisp. Add Parmesan cheese off the heat to prevent clumping. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Avoid zesting the white pith of the lemon to prevent bitterness.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon pasta, asparagus pasta, creamy pasta, easy dinner, quick pasta recipe, Parmesan pasta, spring recipe

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/creamy-lemon-asparagus-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-dinner-with-fresh-parmesan/