Get ready foodies, this creamy lemon garlic pasta is gonna change your entree game in a whole different rich and savory way! The spaghetti pasta is gently swayed into a garlicky white velvety sauce that makes a perfect weeknight dinner.
Pasta is something both adults and kids can enjoy thoroughly, and it doesn’t require much time to prepare.
Plus, if you had an exhausting day, this creamy garlic lemon pasta can be a great last-minute dinner which can be made in just under 20 minutes!
It will never let you go to bed empty stomach.
I added some tweaks of my own, like introducing milk, oregano, and chili flakes to make it more creamy, aromatic, and a little bit spicy.
Tools You’ll Need
- Pot: To boil the spaghetti.
- Skillet: To make the creamy lemon butter garlic pasta sauce.
- Whisk: It helps prevent the lumps from being made in the sauce.
- Frying Strainer: To saute and stir.
Ingredients in This Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta Recipe
Spaghetti Pasta: I feel spaghetti’s texture and shape work best with this pasta but you can go for any pasta you like. Penne and farfalle are other pastas that blend well with it. Here are the types of pasta to choose from.
Milk: Milk is the main player in making the creamy lemon butter garlic pasta sauce. It is responsible for the bright white sauce, adds a subtle sweetness, and also makes it rich and creamy.
Gram Flour: It acts as the base of the gravy and binds it together.
Red Chili Flakes: For a bit of hotness!
Oregano: It fills the pasta with aromatic and herby flavors.
Garlic: There is no creamy lemon garlic pasta without it. It infuses with the oil and enhances the flavor to the next level.
Lemon: Of course the star of the dish! Filled with vitamin C content, lemon adds the perfect amount of astringency to the pasta. Use fresh and quality lemons.
Parmesan Cheese: You gotta add cheese to the pasta! Parmesan adds wonders to the dish. If it is not accessible, mozzarella also works.
Black Pepper Powder: It indulges a sharp, and biting flavor that tastes really good. Plus, it is extremely healthy for the immune system.
Basil/Coriander leaves: They are basically used for garnishing. They bring a ton of freshness and make this meal a lot more appealing.
Oil & Butter
Salt
FAQ
Which type of pasta should I choose for the best creamy garlic lemon pasta?
If you’re looking to make authentic Italian pasta, Spaghetti is the frontier. Its long and thin strings and soft texture blend well with the sauce.
Penne and farfalle are also good choices that allow the flavors to adhere well.
What cheese can I use?
Parmesan cheese is the ideal one because it has a distinct umami flavor and saltiness that compliments the pasta very well. Plus, it has good melting properties that make a cohesive texture.
Otherwise, mozzarella is a more accessible and cheaper option.
How to Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta
Boil the Pasta:
1. Boil water in a pot, add some salt, and spaghetti sticks. Cook it for 6-7 minutes till al dente.
Make the Sauce:
2. While the pasta is boiling, heat oil and butter in a skillet, and cook minced garlic till it gets light brown.
3. Add gram flour, and pour milk into 3 batches of equal quantity, whisk vigorously on each batch for a lumpless sauce.
4. Add oregano, chili flakes, lime juice, and salt. Mix well.
5. Shred cheese into the sauce, and mix well while it melts.
Combine Pasta with Sauce:
6. Transfer the cooked pasta straight into the skillet, and mix it well, till the spaghetti is completely soaked into the sauce.
Garnish:
7. Sprinkle some basil leaves, and when plating add some grated cheese on top.
8. Your creamy lemon garlic pasta is ready for serving.
Tips & Variations
- If you are planning to use garlic paste instead of minced garlic, you won’t get the same flavor and crunch.
- You can fry the zest of lemons too along with garlic for an extra savory punch. I find it to be a bit overbearing so I didn’t add them in this recipe. Use fresh and quality lemons for the best outcome.
- If you don’t have milk, use fresh thickened cream. Skip adding gram flour, and don’t pour it in batches.
- If you want to make it a healthier meal, try adding broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers.
Serving Options
This pasta makes an incredible dinner, and you can serve it in get-togethers and putlocks too.
Garlic bread is a great side to have with the pasta, but I also like my greens, so I serve golden girl salad with it, and a glass full of coffee milkshake!
How to Store
You can refrigerate the pasta for 2-3 days, first, you have to let it cool down and transfer it to an air-tight container.
Avoid freezing it as it may lead to separation in the sauce, and ruin the texture.
Remember to add splashes of hot water when reheating in a skillet.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta
- It is a quick velvety dish that can be made in under 20 minutes.
- The balance of sweet and spicy flavors is immaculate.
- It incorporates highly nutritious elements like milk, garlic, and black pepper which are extremely good for the overall body and immune system.
More Pasta Recipes
More Quick Dinner Recipes
Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta for Effortless Cooking!
Equipment
- Pot
- Skillet
- Whisk
- Frying Strainer
Ingredients
For Boiling Pasta:
- 400 gms Spaghetti Pasta
- Water
- Salt
For the Sauce:
- 1 tbsp Oil
- 3 tbsp Butter
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp Gram Flour
- 200 ml Milk
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 1 tsp Chili Flakes
- 1 Lemon (squeezed)
- Salt
- 50 gms Parmesan Cheese (shredded)
- Cooked Spaghetti Pasta (al dante)
Garnishes:
- 1 tsp Coriander/Basil leaves (optional)
- 30 gms Parmasan Cheese (shredded)
Instructions
- Boil water in a pot, add some salt, and spaghetti sticks. Cook it for 6-7 minutes till al dente.
- While the pasta is boiling, heat oil and butter in a skillet, and cook minced garlic till it gets light brown.
- Add gram flour, and pour milk into 3 batches of equal quantity, whisk vigorously on each batch for a lumpless sauce.
- Add oregano, chili flakes, lime juice, and salt. Mix well.
- Shred cheese into the sauce, and mix well while it melts.
- Transfer the cooked pasta straight into the skillet, and mix it well, till the spaghetti is completely soaked into the sauce.
- Sprinkle some basil leaves, and when plating add some grated cheese on top.
- Your creamy lemon garlic pasta is ready for serving.
Notes
- If you are planning to use garlic paste instead of minced garlic, you won’t get the same flavor and crunch.
- You can fry the zest of lemons too along with garlic for an extra savory punch. I find it to be a bit overbearing so I didn’t add them in this recipe. Use fresh and quality lemons for the best outcome.
- If you don’t have milk, use fresh thickened cream. Skip adding gram flour, and don’t pour it in batches.
- If you want to make it a healthier meal, try adding broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers.
