Creamy Lemon Parmesan Spaghetti
Creamy Lemon Parmesan Spaghetti
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Creamy Lemon Parmesan Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for garnish
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 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 water.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, melt the unsalted butter and olive oil in a large pan (such as a copper pan) over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the sautéed onion. Whisk continuously for 1 minute to create a roux, ensuring no lumps remain.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Gradually whisk in the chicken broth until smooth, then slowly whisk in the heavy cream. Continue whisking until the sauce base is smooth and begins to thicken slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Stir in the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and salt. Continue to cook for another 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and a splash of fresh lemon juice (about 1 tablespoon). Stir until the cheese is fully melted and incorporated, creating a creamy sauce.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Add the cooked and drained spaghetti directly into the pan with the sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat every strand of pasta. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until the sauce reaches a silky, desired consistency.
⏱️ 5 min
- 8
Serve immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and extra freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Lemon Parmesan Spaghetti
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Creamy Lemon Parmesan Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for garnish
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 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 water.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, melt the unsalted butter and olive oil in a large pan (such as a copper pan) over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the sautéed onion. Whisk continuously for 1 minute to create a roux, ensuring no lumps remain.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Gradually whisk in the chicken broth until smooth, then slowly whisk in the heavy cream. Continue whisking until the sauce base is smooth and begins to thicken slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Stir in the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and salt. Continue to cook for another 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and a splash of fresh lemon juice (about 1 tablespoon). Stir until the cheese is fully melted and incorporated, creating a creamy sauce.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Add the cooked and drained spaghetti directly into the pan with the sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat every strand of pasta. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until the sauce reaches a silky, desired consistency.
⏱️ 5 min - 8
Serve immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and extra freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 1 min