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+ servings
Plate of Basil Pasta with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce garnished with herbs.

Basil Pasta with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

A simple yet flavorful dish combining al dente pasta with a lemon garlic butter sauce and fresh basil, perfect for summer evenings or dinner parties.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 460

Ingredients
  

Pasta Ingredients
  • 12 oz your favorite pasta (spaghetti, fettucine, or penne)
Sauce Ingredients
  • ½ cup unsalted butter Can use vegan butter to make it plant-based.
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 large lemon, juice and zest
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped Plus some for garnish.
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, optional for serving

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Begin by boiling a large pot of salted water for the pasta.
  2. Once it reaches a rolling boil, add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until it's al dente.
  3. Keep an eye on it to avoid mushy pasta!
Making the Sauce
  1. While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to brown it.
  3. Squeeze the juice of one lemon into the pan and add the zest, stirring to combine.
  4. Taste and season with salt and black pepper to your preference.
Combining the Ingredients
  1. Once the pasta is done, reserve about a cup of the cooking water and drain the pasta.
  2. Add the reserved basil leaves to the sauce, then combine the pasta with the sauce in the saucepan.
  3. If the sauce looks dry, add reserved pasta water until it reaches the desired consistency.
Serving the Dish
  1. Plate the pasta and garnish with extra basil and grated Parmesan if desired.
  2. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 460kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 10gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 250mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1g

Notes

For a twist, add red pepper flakes for spice or cherry tomatoes for sweetness. Sauté chicken or shrimp for a protein boost, and use olive oil instead of butter for a vegan version. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

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