Creamy Roast Garlic and Lemon Pasta Sauce Recipe
A luscious and tangy creamy roast garlic and lemon pasta sauce that combines the sweetness of roasted garlic with the brightness of fresh lemon juice and zest. This easy-to-make sauce is perfectly creamy with a hint of zestiness, topped off with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, ideal for dressing your favorite pasta for a comforting yet refreshing meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 bulb garlic, roasted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Pasta
- 1 pound pasta of your choice
Instructions
- Roast the Garlic: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wrap the garlic bulb in aluminum foil and roast in the oven for 30-35 minutes until golden and soft. Let it cool, then squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into a bowl.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the roasted garlic paste and cook for about 2 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Add Heavy Cream: Pour the heavy cream into the saucepan, stirring continuously until well combined. Allow the mixture to heat through for 3-4 minutes, making sure it does not boil.
- Incorporate Lemon: Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest. Season with salt and black pepper, and continue cooking for another 2 minutes to develop the flavors.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Gradually fold in the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until it melts completely and integrates smoothly into the sauce.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing well to coat each strand or piece. Adjust the sauce consistency by adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the sauce from heat, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately for a delicious creamy pasta experience.
Notes
- Roasting the garlic mellows its flavor and adds sweetness, enhancing the sauce’s depth.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce thickness for a perfect creamy texture.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for better melting and flavor compared to pre-grated varieties.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, but the sauce will be less rich.
- If you prefer a vegan option, use coconut cream and nutritional yeast instead of heavy cream and Parmesan.
- Leftover sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently to avoid curdling.
Keywords: creamy pasta sauce, roast garlic pasta, lemon pasta sauce, vegetarian pasta sauce, easy pasta sauce, creamy lemon garlic sauce
