The weather in Southwest Florida has been strange this year, with several cold snaps mixed into our typically mild winter. We just finished what we were told is the last cold spell of the season, and now the days are warm and pleasantly low in humidity. It feels like spring to me. When spring arrives I think of asparagus, baby peas, strawberries, and lemons. Every spring I tend to use more lemon in my cooking—breads and muffins, pasta, dressings, and sauces all welcome that bright citrus flavor.

Here is a quick pasta that the whole family will enjoy. The flavors are fresh and vibrant, and the recipe comes together in minutes. I usually make this with spaghetti, but you can use fresh fettuccine or a short dried pasta such as penne or rigatoni if you prefer.

Buon appetito!

Deborah Mele

Lemon Pasta With Basil

Yield:
Serves 4

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
15 minutes

Total Time:
25 minutes

A creamy, vibrant pasta with bright lemon and fresh basil that comes together in minutes.

Ingredients

2 large lemons
2 ounces Pecorino Romano or Parmesan, finely grated (about 1/3 cup)
1 pound pasta of your choice
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup heavy cream
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil

Instructions

Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over medium-high heat.
While the water heats, finely grate the zest of the lemons.
Juice the lemons and finely grate the cheese.
In a large frying pan over medium heat, melt the butter with the olive oil.
Add the lemon zest and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute to release the aroma.
Add the lemon juice and simmer for about 3 minutes.
Stir in the heavy cream and season with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
Simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, 1–2 minutes, then remove from the heat.
Cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions.
Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
Add the pasta to the sauce and return to medium heat, tossing and adding pasta water as needed until the noodles are evenly coated.
Stir in the chopped basil and toss to combine.
Serve immediately, topping with the grated cheese to taste.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 485Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 401mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 13g

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