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A close-up macro shot of orecchiette pasta coated in a creamy roasted garlic and lemon sauce, showing the rich texture of the dish.
FL Recipes

Creamy Roast Garlic and Lemon Pasta: The Ultimate Comfort Dish

This Creamy Roast Garlic and Lemon Pasta features a lusciously smooth sauce made from sweet roasted garlic, bright lemon, and Parmesan. It's an easy, elegant, and incredibly flavorful weeknight dinner that feels like a gourmet treat.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Calories: 750

Ingredients
  

  • 1 head garlic
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb pasta such as orecchiette, fettuccine, or linguine
  • 1.5 cups heavy cream
  • 1 large lemon zested and juiced
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated, plus more for serving
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot
  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 Baking Foil

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the top off the head of garlic, place on foil, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, wrap, and roast for 30-40 minutes until soft and golden.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  3. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into a bowl and mash. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mashed garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 minute. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and whisk in Parmesan cheese until smooth.
  4. Add the drained pasta, lemon zest, and lemon juice to the skillet. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 750kcalProtein: 22gFat: 45gFiber: 3g

Notes

Tip 1: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the smoothest sauce. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
Tip 2: Don't forget to salt your pasta water generously! It's the first and most important step to a well-seasoned dish.
Tip 3: Adjust the amount of lemon juice to your taste. Start with half and add more if you prefer a brighter, more citrus-forward flavor.
Keyword creamy lemon pasta,easy pasta recipe,roasted garlic pasta

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