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Quick Zesty Creamy Lemon Pasta with Peas

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A bright, creamy lemon pasta with sweet peas that’s quick and easy to prepare, perfect for light and flavorful summer meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) linguine or fettuccine pasta
  • 1 cup (150g) fresh or frozen peas
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
  • 3/4 cup (180ml) heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley (optional), chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of linguine and cook according to package instructions (usually about 9-11 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup (120ml) of pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon unsalted butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Pour in 3/4 cup (180ml) heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. Add the zest of 1 large lemon and 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  4. Lower the heat and stir in 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If the sauce feels too thick, stir in some reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
  5. Toss in 1 cup (150g) of fresh or thawed frozen peas. Stir gently and cook for another 2 minutes to warm the peas through without losing their bright green color and crunch.
  6. Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated. Add more pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
  7. Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley on top if using. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not let the cream boil hard to avoid curdling. Use fresh lemon zest for best flavor. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce as needed. Toss pasta and sauce off heat to keep sauce silky. Frozen peas can be used if thawed properly. Add lemon pepper seasoning before serving for extra lemon flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon pasta, creamy pasta, summer meals, quick dinner, peas, easy pasta recipe, zesty pasta

Find it online: https://emacrave.com/quick-zesty-creamy-lemon-pasta-with-peas-easy-recipe-for-summer-meals/