Basil Pasta with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

Basil Pasta with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

This delicious recipe features all the classic ingredients that you would expect in a Basil Pasta - lots of fresh basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, butter, garlic, and fresh lemon.  It's an easy and quick recipe that requires only 7 ingredients and 30 minutes of your time!

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons salted butter

    divided

  • 5 cloves garlic

    fresh, minced

  • 1/2 lemon thinly sliced)

    (preferably Meyer lemon

  • 8 oz pasta)

    (I used farfalle or bow-tie pasta

  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese

    freshly grated

  • 2 oz fresh basil)
    and add more to taste (up to 4 oz
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts

    lightly toasted

  • salt and pepper)
    to taste (use black cracked pepper

Directions

  1. 1

    Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter, thinly sliced lemon, and minced fresh garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring a couple of times, until lemon slices brown and release juices and minced garlic is browned but not burned. Remove from heat and add 2 more tablespoons of butter. Stir until it melts. Remove lemon slices from the skillet.

  2. 2

    Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add pasta and cook al dente according to package instructions. Drain pasta.

  3. 3

    Add hot, drained, and cooked pasta to the cast-iron skillet with butter and garlic. Stir everything well.

  4. 4

    Add 2 more tablespoons of butter and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir on low-medium heat for a couple of minutes to spread out the cheese among the pasta and melt it a bit. Remove from heat. Taste and season with salt.

  5. 5

    Add half of the fresh chopped basil to hot pasta and mix everything well.

  6. 6

    When ready to serve, top with the remaining half of fresh chopped basil, toasted pine nuts, and cracked black pepper.

Basil Pasta with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

Basil Pasta with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

4.7(148)

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Ratings & Reviews

0.0/ 5
Exceptional

Based on 148 ratings

juliasalbum.com
4.7(148 reviews)
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About this Recipe

Craving a comforting yet vibrant pasta dish that's incredibly easy to make? This Basil Pasta with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce delivers big on fresh flavors in just 30 minutes, using only 7 simple ingredients.

What makes this pasta truly special is its celebration of fresh, high-quality ingredients. The rich combination of salted butter, aromatic fresh garlic, bright lemon, and a generous amount of fresh basil creates a sauce that's both luxurious and incredibly zesty. It’s a testament to how simple components can create extraordinary taste, making it a perfect quick meal.

You'll discover a delightful balance of savory, tangy, and herbal notes in every bite. The tender farfalle (or your preferred pasta shape) perfectly cradles the silky lemon garlic butter sauce, which is studded with savory Parmesan cheese. A scattering of lightly toasted pine nuts adds a wonderful, subtle crunch and nutty depth, completing this fresh and satisfying meal.

Customization & Variations: Feel free to experiment with different pasta shapes; while farfalle is suggested, penne or spaghetti would also be excellent choices. The recipe calls for up to 4 ounces of fresh basil, so adjust the quantity to your personal taste for a more herbaceous punch. If Meyer lemons aren't available, a regular lemon will work beautifully, offering a slightly tangier zest.

This quick and elegant basil pasta is perfect for busy weeknights when you want a homemade meal without fuss, or for a light and refreshing lunch. Serve it simply on its own, perhaps with a fresh green salad on the side, to let its vibrant flavors truly shine.

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