Lemon Garlic Pasta Recipe with Cheese and Butter Sauce
A vibrant American pasta dish combining zesty lemon, roasted garlic, and a creamy parmesan-butter sauce for restaurant-quality flavors in 22 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 12
- Total Time: 22
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
12 oz pasta (fettuccine recommended)
8 cloves garlic, whole peeled
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1 ½ cups grated parmesan
2 large lemons (zest and juice)
1 tbsp extra virginia olive oil
Instructions
Roast whole garlic with olive oil at 400°F (15-20 mins) until golden
Boil pasta al dente while garlic roasts
Whisk roasted garlic, butter, parmesan, and lemon juice until emulsified
Toss cooked pasta with sauce and reserved garlic skins
Sprinkle fresh lemon zest before serving
Notes
Use fettuccine’s wide texture to hold sauce
Roast garlic at 400°F for optimal browning
Whisk sauce 3+ minutes for proper emulsification
Add 1-2 tbsp pasta water to adjust consistency
Test sauce viscosity with 1 tbsp water before serving
Zest lemons instead of juicing to prevent sogginess