Description
8 oz pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or your choice)
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup fresh basil, chopped
½ cup stracciatella cheese
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Directions:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
Stir in chopped basil and cooked pasta, tossing to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a silky sauce.
Remove from heat and top with dollops of stracciatella cheese and lemon zest.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Kcal: 420 kcal per serving
Servings: 4
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these detailed instructions for perfect pasta every time. First, ensure your pasta water is well-salted—it should taste like the sea. While the pasta cooks, prepare your mise en place: mince garlic, chop basil, zest the lemon, and measure all other ingredients. This ensures a smooth cooking process. When sautéing the garlic and red pepper flakes, keep the heat at medium to prevent burning. Once you add the cream and Parmesan, let it simmer gently; a rapid boil can cause the sauce to separate. When tossing the pasta with the sauce, use tongs to coat every strand evenly. The final step of adding the stracciatella and lemon off the heat is crucial for preserving their fresh, delicate flavors.
Serving Suggestions
This creamy lemon basil pasta is a versatile dish. For a complete meal, serve it alongside a simple arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette. Grilled chicken or shrimp make excellent protein additions. To complement the flavors, pair with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. For presentation, garnish with extra basil leaves, a crack of black pepper, and a light drizzle of high-quality olive oil.
How-to Summary
In summary, this 20-minute pasta involves cooking your pasta, creating a quick garlic-infused cream sauce, tossing everything together with fresh basil, and finishing with stracciatella cheese and lemon. The key techniques are reserving starchy pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and adding the delicate cheeses off the heat to prevent them from breaking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cheese if I can’t find stracciatella?
Yes, fresh mozzarella (torn into small pieces) or burrata are excellent substitutes. The goal is a creamy, fresh cheese that melts slightly.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
This recipe is vegetarian as written. Ensure your Parmesan cheese is made with vegetarian rennet if required.
Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?
It’s best made fresh. The cream sauce can thicken too much upon standing. Reheat it gently with a splash of milk or pasta water.
What if my sauce becomes too thick?
This is why reserving pasta water is essential. Simply add it back in, a tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired silky consistency.
Is there a lighter alternative to heavy cream?
For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half, though the sauce will be less rich and may not thicken as much. Full-fat coconut milk is a dairy-free alternative.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcooking the garlic: Sauté just until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Burnt garlic will make the sauce bitter.
- Skipping the pasta water: The starchy water is essential for helping the sauce cling to the pasta and adjusting texture.
- Adding cheese over high heat: Adding the stracciatella and Parmesan to a boiling sauce can cause them to separate and become greasy.
- Using dried basil: Fresh basil is non-negotiable for the bright, herbal flavor that defines this dish.
Conclusion
This creamy lemon basil pasta with stracciatella is a restaurant-quality dish that comes together in just 20 minutes. By balancing rich cream, sharp Parmesan, fresh basil, and bright lemon, it delivers complex flavor with minimal effort. Mastering the simple techniques outlined—like properly emulsifying the sauce with pasta water—will ensure a perfect, impressive meal every time. It’s a testament to how a few quality ingredients can create something truly special.