Description
Indulge in the rich flavors of Creamy Roast Garlic and Lemon Pasta Sauce. Discover the perfect recipe for a delicious meal tonight.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 3–4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, to taste
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 pound pasta of your choice
- Reserved pasta water as needed (approximately 1/2 cup or 120ml)
Instructions
- Step 1: Roast the Garlic Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the top quarter off each garlic bulb to expose the cloves inside. Place the bulbs on a sheet of aluminum foil, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Wrap the foil tightly around the garlic, creating a sealed packet. Roast for 40-45 minutes until the garlic cloves are golden brown and butter-soft when poked with a knife. Let cool for 5 minutes before handling.
- Step 2: Prepare the Pasta While the garlic roasts, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook your pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta but don’t rinse it – the starch helps the sauce adhere better.
- Step 3: Extract the Roasted Garlic Gently squeeze the bottom of each cooled garlic bulb to push the softened, caramelized cloves out of their skins into a small bowl. Mash with a fork to create a smooth paste. This fragrant garlic purée will infuse throughout your sauce.
- Step 4: Create the Sauce Base In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the roasted garlic paste and stir for 30 seconds to release its aroma. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer (never a full boil). Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5-7 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
- Step 5: Add the Lemon and Seasonings Remove the skillet from heat momentarily and whisk in the lemon zest, lemon juice (starting with 3 tablespoons), salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Return to low heat and gently simmer for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Step 6: Finish and Serve Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce, stirring until completely melted and incorporated. Toss in the drained pasta, adding reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Fold in the chopped parsley, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve immediately for the most luxurious experience.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg