Lemon Pasta

• servings: 2 servings
• active time: 5 minutes
• total time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

8 ounces spaghetti

4 tablespoons unsalted butter (sliced into pats)

2 tablespoons lemon zest (plus more for garnish)

2 garlic cloves (minced)

½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (plus more to taste)

Sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Chopped fresh parsley or basil leaves (for garnish)

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare the pasta according to the package instructions, cooking until al dente. In the final minutes of cooking, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water.

A few minutes before the pasta is ready, add the butter to a large skillet over medium heat. Heat the butter until it foams, then reduce the heat to low and add the lemon zest and garlic. Cook, stirring, for 1 to 2 minutes, or until fragrant. Remove from the heat if your pasta is still cooking.

When the pasta is al dente, use tongs to transfer it from the pot to the skillet with the butter mixture. Add ½ cup of the reserved pasta water and cook over low heat, tossing until a sauce forms and lightly coats the pasta. Add half the cheese and toss to incorporate. Add the lemon juice and remaining cheese and toss again, cooking until the sauce is smooth. If it becomes too thick or clumpy, add more pasta water as needed to loosen it. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice.

Garnish with more lemon zest and fresh parsley. Serve with more cheese.