Print

Creamy Lemon Asparagus Pasta

creamy lemon asparagus pasta - featured image
Print Recipe

A fresh and luscious spring pasta dish featuring a silky creamy lemon sauce with tender asparagus and perfectly cooked pasta. Quick and easy to prepare, this recipe balances bright citrus flavors with rich creaminess for a comforting yet light meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
  • 1 bunch fresh asparagus (about 1 pound), trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • Zest and juice of 2 medium lemons
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 100g)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Handful of fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. About 3 minutes before pasta is done, add the trimmed asparagus pieces to the boiling water to blanch them. Drain pasta and asparagus together, reserving 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta water.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Add the blanched asparagus to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until just tender, stirring occasionally.
  4. Lower the heat and pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and let the mixture gently simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring often to prevent scorching until the sauce thickens slightly and feels silky.
  5. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Continue stirring until the cheese melts fully and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen it.
  6. Add the drained pasta and asparagus to the skillet. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly with the sauce.
  7. Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped basil or parsley over the top. Toss gently and serve immediately while warm.

Notes

Avoid overcooking the asparagus to keep it tender-crisp. Use fresh Parmesan cheese for best melting and flavor. Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of pasta water to restore sauce silkiness. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut or cashew cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese. Gluten-free pasta can be used as a substitute.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon pasta, asparagus pasta, creamy pasta, spring dinner, easy pasta recipe, lemon asparagus, quick dinner, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/creamy-lemon-asparagus-pasta-recipe-easy-zesty-spring-dinner/