Description
Easy Lemon Butter Linguine is a quick and elegant pasta dish featuring bright lemon, creamy butter, and freshly grated Parmesan. This weeknight-friendly recipe comes together in under 20 minutes and delivers tangy, savory perfection with every bite.
Ingredients
8 oz linguine
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp lemon zest
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Stir in the lemon zest and juice. Let it gently simmer for about 1 minute.
4. Add the cooked linguine to the skillet and toss well to coat in the lemon butter sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed.
5. Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and toss until the sauce is creamy and coats the pasta evenly.
6. Season with salt and black pepper. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and texture.
Don’t skip the lemon zest—it adds depth and aroma beyond just the juice.
If reheating, add a splash of water or butter to bring back the creaminess.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 75mg