Name: Creamy Lemon Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2 Servings
Cuisine: Italian

Jule’s Menu Verified

February 8, 2026

This creamy Pasta al Limone comes together in just 15 minutes and uses only a handful of simple ingredients. Bright lemon, garlic, and Parmigiano Reggiano create a silky, flavorful sauce, and the notes include tips and ideas for customizing or serving this easy Italian classic. This recipe is light for a quick weeknight dinner but elegant enough to impress guests.

From the Cook

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Creamy Lemon Pasta

Jule’s Menu Verified

Ingredients

WarningMilk and 4 other allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, peel the garlic and slice it thinly. Wash the lemon, grate about a quarter of the zest, and squeeze the juice from half of the lemon — set both aside. Place the lemon zest, garlic, and olive oil in a skillet, but do not turn on the heat yet.

Once the water is boiling, add salt and then the pasta. Set a timer to cook the pasta about 30 seconds less than the time indicated on the package.

About five minutes before the pasta timer is done, turn the skillet to medium-high heat. In a bowl, whisk the egg and stir in two-thirds of the Parmesan.

Once the pasta is done and the garlic has turned a light golden brown, remove the skillet from the heat and add the pasta directly from the pot into the skillet. Deglaze with the lemon juice. Gradually stir in the egg and cheese mixture.

Toss the pasta with tongs until the sauce thickens nicely. Then, add a little pasta water at a time, continuing to stir, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. If needed, thicken with the remaining Parmesan, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve as desired with a little fresh lemon zest, pepper, and the remaining Parmesan.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Pasta Water Magic 💧
Reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water before draining, as it's crucial for creating a silky, emulsified sauce that clings perfectly to the pasta.
Zest Before Squeeze 🍋
Always zest your lemon before juicing to maximize flavor, and use a microplane for the finest, most fragrant lemon zest possible.
Temper the Egg 🥚
Prevent scrambling by slowly whisking hot pasta water into the egg mixture to gradually raise its temperature before combining with the pasta.
Cheese Grating Hack 🧀
Use freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano and grate it just before adding to the sauce for maximum flavor and optimal melting.
Garlic Infusion Technique 🧄
Gently toast garlic in olive oil just until fragrant, being careful not to brown it, to create a subtle, sweet garlic base for the sauce.

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About the Cook

Jule’s Menu

Hi, I’m Julia, and I’m the recipe developer, photographer, and author behind Jules’ Menu. I’ve spent the last eight years perfecting healthy everyday recipes so they strike the perfect balance between healthy and nourishing, simple and practical, and gourmet-level delicious.