Fresh Lemon and Chile Pasta
This quick, deeply comforting pasta is creamy, but balanced by the zing of fresh lemon. Loosely based on Italy’s pasta al limone, this simple recipe combines butter, Parmesan and lemon juice with some reserved pasta water to form a velvety sauce that comes together in the pasta pan along with everyday heroes: garlic, green chile and some cream. To squeeze as much tang from a single lemon as possible, zest is also added to the vibrant sauce, giving the dish a wonderful, sunny scent. The lemon cuts through the richness and keeps your fork twirling for more. Serve this bright and easy pasta dish on its own to perk up a weeknight or with chicken piccata or simple roast chicken for a special dinner, ideally eaten outside in the late-setting sun.
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 4 persons
Ingredients
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1pound long pasta, such as spaghetti or bucatini
- 5tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1small green chile, such as serrano, thinly sliced
- 1lemon
- ½cup heavy cream
- 2cups finely grated Parmesan (3 1/2 ounces), plus more for serving
Instructions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then throw in a handful of salt. Cook the pasta until a bit firmer than al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions. (It’ll finish cooking in the sauce.) Reserve 2 cups pasta water, then drain.Step 2
While the water comes to a boil, add the butter to another large pot or Dutch oven and melt over medium heat. Add the garlic, chile and 1 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic has softened slightly and the whole mixture is incredibly fragrant, about 2 minutes. Zest the lemon into the pot (reserve the lemon), then pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Season with salt and bring to a gentle simmer over medium.Step 3
Add the drained pasta and 1 cup of the pasta water to the pot. Cook, tossing often with tongs while gradually sprinkling in the Parmesan, 2 to 3 minutes. The cheese will melt and the sauce will become creamy and cling to the pasta. It should be saucy because it will thicken as it cools. If the sauce looks too thick, add more pasta water 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time.Step 4
Turn off the heat, and halve the zested lemon. Squeeze the juice from 1 lemon half into the pot. Taste a noodle or two and add more juice from the remaining lemon half if you’d like more tang. Season with salt and pepper as needed. Divide among shallow bowls or plates. Sprinkle with Parmesan and pepper, then pluck any chile slices clinging to the pot and serve them on top.