Lemon Garlic Alfredo Spaghetti

Ingredients

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 6 tbsp butter
• 7 cloves garlic (Thinly sliced)
• 1 tsp garlic powder (Part of the seasoning mixture)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (Part of the seasoning mixture)
• 1 tsp salt (Part of the seasoning mixture)
• 1 tsp black pepper (Part of the seasoning mixture, plus more to finish if desired)
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 0.5 lemon lemon juice (Juice of half a lemon)
• 0.75 cup heavy cream (Room temperature)
• 0.75 cup Parmesan cheese (Grated; reserve extra for finishing if desired)
• pasta water (Reserve about 1 cup before draining; add gradually as needed)
• fresh parsley (Chopped, optional; estimated amount 5 g)

Steps

1. 1

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain the spaghetti and set it aside.

2. 2

   Place a large pan over low heat and add the butter. Allow it to melt completely without letting it scorch.

3. 3

   Add the thinly sliced garlic to the melted butter. Cook gently for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is lightly golden and fragrant.

4. 4

   Add the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook for 1 minute. The butter may begin to brown slightly; this is desirable for extra flavor, but reduce the heat if it begins to burn.

5. 5

   Add the lemon zest and lemon juice to the pan. Stir continuously for about 30 seconds so the lemon combines with the seasoned butter.

6. 6

   Slowly pour in the room-temperature heavy cream while stirring. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer; do not allow it to boil vigorously.

7. 7

   Add the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.

8. 8

   Add the drained spaghetti to the sauce. Add the chopped parsley if using, and toss to coat the strands evenly.

9. 9

   Continue stirring the pasta over medium-low heat. Gradually add reserved pasta water, a splash at a time, until the sauce becomes silky and coats every strand. Use only as much water as needed.

10. 10

    Serve immediately. Finish with additional grated Parmesan and black pepper, and offer an optional lemon wedge for squeezing over the pasta.

Notes

For a higher-protein meal, serve with cooked chicken or shrimp. Add pasta water gradually; the sauce will loosen and become glossy as it emulsifies. Best served immediately while the Alfredo sauce is silky.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• Italian-inspired
• vegetarian
• summer
• quick dinner
• stovetop
• comfort food