Creamy Lemon Pasta with Capers
Creamy Lemon Pasta with Capers
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
For the Creamy Lemon Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest, from 1 large lemon
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, from 1 large lemon
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
⏱️ 12 min
- 2
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the unsalted butter with the olive oil over medium heat.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown it.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Stir in the lemon zest and fresh lemon juice. Cook for another minute, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the 1 tablespoon of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Gradually add 1 cup of the reserved pasta cooking water, a little at a time, while tossing the pasta. This will help create a creamy, emulsified sauce. Continue adding more pasta water as needed until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and drained capers. Toss again until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and clings to the pasta.
⏱️ 1 min
- 9
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Lemon Pasta with Capers
For the Pasta
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
For the Creamy Lemon Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest, from 1 large lemon
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, from 1 large lemon
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
⏱️ 12 min - 2
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the unsalted butter with the olive oil over medium heat.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown it.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Stir in the lemon zest and fresh lemon juice. Cook for another minute, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the 1 tablespoon of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Gradually add 1 cup of the reserved pasta cooking water, a little at a time, while tossing the pasta. This will help create a creamy, emulsified sauce. Continue adding more pasta water as needed until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and drained capers. Toss again until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and clings to the pasta.
⏱️ 1 min - 9
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.