Creamy Lemon Garlic Fettuccine
A bright and luscious pasta dish with zesty lemon, fresh herbs, and a rich garlic cream sauce—perfectly clinging to silky fettuccine strands for an elegant yet easy meal.
- Author: Djihane
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
- 12 oz fettuccine
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: red pepper flakes for heat
- Lemon slices for garnish
- Cook the fettuccine in salted boiling water according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Add salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Toss in the cooked fettuccine, stirring to coat evenly. If needed, add a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce.
- Stir in chopped parsley and serve immediately, garnished with a slice of lemon and more black pepper.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and melting.
- Add grilled chicken or shrimp for a heartier meal.
- Adjust lemon juice to taste for more or less tanginess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: lemon garlic pasta, creamy fettuccine, easy pasta recipe, lemon cream sauce, vegetarian pasta