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Plateful of spaghetti topped with parmesan and lemon.
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Browned Butter Lemon Garlic Pasta

This pasta makes a quick and simple lunch that's super easy to prepare for as many people as you're looking to feed. The recipe below feeds 2 hungry adults, but feel free to adjust as needed.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 700kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces spaghetti
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • 2 ounces grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • shaved Parmesan for topping
  • fresh minced parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil and add the pasta. Cook the pasta until al dente.
  • While the pasta is cooking, brown the butter over medium heat by melting it in a large skillet. Butter will sizzle and begin to foam. Continue whisking until the butter is golden brown and then remove from the heat. Do not burn.
  • Mince the garlic and add to the skillet with the browned butter. The residual heat will cook the garlic. Squeeze in the lemon juice and add 1/4 cup of pasta water to the butter.
  • Use tongs to transfer the pasta to the skillet with the butter, letting most of the water drip off before adding to the skillet. Pour the cheese over the pasta and toss with tongs to form a silky sauce.
  • Add more pasta water, a little at a time, if pasta seems dry.
  • Season with salt and pepper and top with shaved Parmesan and parsley before serving.

Notes

Top with additional Parmesan and lemon zest, if desired.
We often use protein pasta for this recipe, but make sure to use a protein pasta that also contains wheat so that you'll have starchy pasta water to help make the sauce. If you're using something like Banza (usually our go to protein pasta), the pasta water won't have starch and won't make a nice, silky sauce. 
We highly recommend using a good quality Parmesan cheese that you buy from the cheese counter at your local store. The green shaker can of cheese is really not a great option for this recipe. Either grate your own using the small holes on a box grater to form a powdery cheese or buy freshly grated cheese from the cheese counter. 

Nutrition

Calories: 700kcal | Carbohydrates: 94g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 686mg | Potassium: 289mg | Vitamin A: 745IU | Vitamin C: 0.9mg | Calcium: 410mg | Iron: 4.8mg