Description
Silky, rich, and full of flavor, this creamy roast garlic and lemon pasta sauce is the perfect easy dinner for any night of the week. Made with roasted garlic, fresh lemon, Parmesan, and cream, it’s a comforting yet bright dish that elevates your favorite pasta. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner idea, a cozy lunch, or a versatile sauce for meal prep, this easy recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal fuss.
Ingredients
1 head roast garlic
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
To taste salt
To taste freshly cracked black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
12 ounces pasta of choice
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the top off a head of garlic, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 40 minutes until golden and soft.
2. Squeeze roasted garlic cloves into a bowl and mash into a paste.
3. Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and drain.
4. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in roasted garlic paste and cook for 1-2 minutes.
5. Pour in heavy cream and simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, letting it thicken slightly.
6. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and Parmesan. Mix until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
7. Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. Use pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
8. Serve hot, garnished with more Parmesan, lemon zest, and black pepper.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest texture.
Let the cheese come to room temperature before adding to avoid clumping.
Zest the lemon before juicing to make prep easier.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 80mg