Zesty Basil Pasta with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe

Crafting a mouthwatering basil pasta with lemon garlic butter sauce can turn an ordinary evening into a culinary adventure.

Fragrant herbs dance through silky strands, creating a symphony of bright Mediterranean flavors.

Home cooks adore this simple yet elegant dish that comes together in mere minutes.

Each twirl of pasta carries delicate notes of zesty lemon and rich, velvety butter.

Minced garlic provides a subtle warmth that complements the fresh green basil perfectly.

Minimal ingredients combine to produce maximum satisfaction, making this recipe a go-to for quick and delicious meals.

Creative Ways To Enjoy Basil Pasta With Butter Sauce

• Vegan Herb Pasta: Replace butter with olive oil and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese. Swap pine nuts with toasted sunflower seeds for a budget-friendly alternative.
• Gluten-Free Zucchini Noodle Version: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles. Reduce cooking time and add fresh herbs like parsley for extra flavor.
• Spicy Mediterranean Fusion: Add red pepper flakes and swap basil with fresh oregano. Include crumbled feta cheese and chopped kalamata olives for a Mediterranean kick.
• Protein-Packed Seafood Upgrade: Incorporate sautéed shrimp or grilled chicken into the pasta. Use white wine instead of lemon for added depth and complexity.

Serving Basil Pasta With Fresh Herbs

• Rustic Italian Family Dinner: Gather loved ones around the table and serve this pasta family-style on a large platter, letting everyone help themselves to the fragrant dish.
• Mediterranean Lunch Companion: Pair the pasta with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light Greek salad to complement the lemony, herbal flavors of the dish.
• Fresh Herb Garden Garnish: Sprinkle extra fresh basil leaves and a few whole pine nuts on top just before serving to add a vibrant, crunchy texture and boost the aromatic profile.
• Protein Power-Up: Add grilled chicken, seared shrimp, or pan-fried white fish on the side for those wanting extra protein with their meal.

Storage Tips For Basil Pasta With Butter Sauce

• Store leftover pasta in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cover tightly to prevent moisture loss and absorbing other food odors.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to two months. Label with date and contents.
• Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water or extra butter to restore moisture. Stir gently to prevent sticking and break up clumps. Heat until thoroughly warm, about 3-5 minutes.

FAQs

• What type of skillet works best for this recipe?

A cast-iron skillet is recommended because it provides even heat distribution and helps develop rich flavors during cooking.

• Can I substitute pine nuts if I don't have them?

Yes, you can substitute with toasted almonds or walnuts, but pine nuts provide a unique nutty flavor that complements the basil and lemon.

• Why use Meyer lemons specifically?

Meyer lemons are less acidic and have a sweeter, more complex flavor compared to regular lemons, which enhances the overall taste of the pasta sauce.

• How important is freshly cracked black pepper?

Freshly cracked pepper is crucial because it releases more intense, aromatic oils compared to pre-ground pepper, significantly improving the dish’s flavor profile.

Basil Pasta With Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce: Fresh And Fragrant

• Boost Flavor Quickly: Infuse rich, complex tastes by browning lemon slices and garlic in butter, creating a delightful depth that transforms simple pasta into a gourmet experience.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Require only a handful of fresh ingredients like basil, Parmesan, and pine nuts to craft a restaurant-quality dish that feels luxurious yet incredibly simple to prepare.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like Meyer lemons for regular lemons or experiment with different cheese types, making this recipe adaptable to personal preferences and pantry availability.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Prepare the entire meal in a single cast-iron skillet, reducing cleanup time and allowing flavors to meld beautifully throughout the cooking process.

Ingredients For Basil Pasta With Lemon Butter

• Pasta: A classic Italian staple that serves as the foundation of this delightful dish.

• Butter: Creates a rich and creamy base for the sauce.
• Garlic: Adds a robust and aromatic flavor to the dish.
• Lemon: Provides a bright and tangy citrus note to balance the richness.
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes a salty and nutty depth to the overall flavor profile.

• Basil, Pine Nuts, Cracked Black Pepper: Fresh herbs and toasted nuts add texture, aroma, and a final layer of complexity to the pasta.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the overall taste of the dish.

How To Prepare Basil Pasta With Garlic Butter

Step 1: Sizzle Lemon Butter Sauce

Create a flavor-packed base by heating a cast-iron skillet.

• Butter
• Thinly sliced lemon
• Minced fresh garlic

Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Watch for golden-brown lemon slices and fragrant garlic.

Remove from heat and swirl in additional butter until melted.

Discard lemon slices.

Step 2: Boil Perfect Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil.

Cook pasta until it reaches al dente texture.

Drain thoroughly.

Step 3: Combine Pasta with Buttery Goodness

Transfer hot pasta directly into the skillet with garlic butter.

Toss until every strand is coated with delicious sauce.

Step 4: Melt in Cheesy Goodness

• Additional butter
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Stir gently over low-medium heat until cheese starts to melt and blend seamlessly.

Step 5: Infuse with Fresh Basil

Mix in half of the chopped fresh basil, stirring to distribute evenly throughout the pasta.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

• Remaining fresh basil.
• Toasted pine nuts.
• Freshly cracked black pepper.

Tips For Bright And Zesty Basil Pasta

• Use Meyer lemons for a milder, less acidic flavor and slice them paper-thin to ensure even caramelization and flavor distribution.
• Roast pine nuts in a preheated oven at 350°F for exactly 5 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning and achieve a perfect golden color.
• Crack black pepper directly from whole peppercorns for maximum flavor intensity, avoiding pre-ground pepper which loses its robust taste quickly.
• Add butter in stages to create a smooth, rich sauce that coats the pasta evenly and prevents burning or separation.
• Cook pasta just until it reaches the perfect tender-yet-firm texture, ensuring it can absorb the flavorful butter sauce without becoming mushy.

Basil Pasta with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Delightful basil pasta with lemon garlic butter sauce brings Mediterranean sunshine to your dinner table. Silky noodles dance with zesty lemon and aromatic garlic, creating a simple yet sophisticated meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (farfalle or bow-tie)
• 2 ounces (56 grams) fresh basil
• 1 cup (100 grams) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Aromatics and Flavor Enhancers:

• 6 tablespoons (85 grams) salted butter, divided
• 5 cloves garlic, fresh (minced)
• 1/2 lemon, thinly sliced (preferably Meyer lemon)
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) pine nuts, lightly toasted

Seasonings:

• Salt, to taste
• Black cracked pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Caramelize thin Meyer lemon slices and minced garlic in butter over medium-high heat for 5 minutes until golden brown. Remove from heat, add additional butter, and discard lemon slices.
2. Boil water and cook pasta until al dente. Drain thoroughly.
3. Transfer hot pasta into the skillet with infused butter and garlic, mixing completely.
4. Incorporate Parmesan cheese by stirring on low-medium heat for 2 minutes, allowing cheese to slightly melt. Season with salt after tasting.
5. Fold half the fresh basil into the hot pasta, ensuring even distribution.
6. Prepare pine nuts by toasting in a 350°F oven for precisely 5 minutes, monitoring closely to prevent burning.
7. Before serving, garnish with remaining basil, toasted pine nuts, and freshly ground peppercorns.
8. For optimal flavor, use freshly cracked pepper from whole peppercorns, selecting from black, white, or green varieties for complexity.
9. Select Meyer lemons for a milder, less acidic profile, using only half the fruit sliced extremely thin.

Notes

• Elevate the lemon flavor by using Meyer lemons, which offer a sweeter, less acidic profile compared to regular lemons.
• Carefully toast pine nuts in the oven for maximum flavor, watching closely to prevent burning, as they can quickly go from perfectly golden to charred.
• Freshly grind whole peppercorns for the most vibrant and aromatic black pepper experience, avoiding pre-ground options that lack depth.
• Try dietary variations by substituting gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly version or using vegan butter and nutritional yeast to create a dairy-free alternative.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 517 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 208 mg
• Fat: 37 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 56 mg