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Home » dinner

Lemon Parmesan Fettuccine

Published: Apr 9, 2018 · Modified: Dec 11, 2024 by Kit · This post may contain affiliate links · 20 Comments

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Lemon Parmesan Fettuccine is an easy and elegant pasta with a light creamy sauce loaded with fresh lemon flavor. The total preparation time is only 15 minutes, and it is a meal that you will look forward to on a weeknight.

My recipe for Lemon Parmesan Fettuccine was inspired by my favorite item on The Pump Room’s menu. Last year the iconic restaurant changed hands and became Booth One. The Lemon Parmesan Fettuccine is no longer on the menu, so I am so happy that I figured out how to recreate this pasta at home. It is light and creamy with fresh lemon flavors and a touch of cheese. It's refreshing, not heavy. The best part? This recipe takes only 15 minutes to prepare. It's an elegant but easy weeknight dinner option.

Lemon Parmesan Fettuccine is an easy and elegant pasta with a light creamy sauce loaded with fresh lemon flavor. The total preparation time is only 15 minutes, and it is a meal that you will look forward to on a weeknight.

The thing that I love about this Lemon Parmesan Fettuccine recipe is that it is made with only a few simple ingredients that work together in harmony without overpowering each other.

Lemon Parmesan Fettuccine is an easy and elegant pasta with a light creamy sauce loaded with fresh lemon flavor. The total preparation time is only 15 minutes, and it is a meal that you will look forward to on a weeknight.

I first shared this recipe three years ago, and when a reader recently left a comment on the post I cringed at the photos and decided it was time to revisit the recipe. Oh how I wish that I could go back in time and study photography, journalism, and coding in college – it’s been an uphill battle to learn these skills over the past 6 ½ years.

I did add a sprinkle of chopped sage to garnish the pasta. It added a nice flavor to the pasta, but adding it is totally optional.

Lemon Parmesan Fettuccine is an easy and elegant pasta with a light creamy sauce loaded with fresh lemon flavor. The total preparation time is only 15 minutes, and it is a meal that you will look forward to on a weeknight.

One thing to know is that since the pasta is lightly coated in the sauce, it doesn’t reheat very well. As the pasta sits it soaks up the sauce, so if you need to reheat the pasta I recommend mixing up a couple tablespoons of cream with a tablespoon of water and a tablespoon of lemon juice in a skillet and then adding the pasta to reheat it.

When it comes to zesting the lemon, I recommend using a microplane. If you aren’t familiar with what a microplane is, it is a very fine grater. I received one years ago when I visited Southern Living on a press trip. The culinary director of the magazine had picked out microplanes for the gift bags saying that it is his favorite inexpensive kitchen tool. I love how it grates the lemon zest into fine little pieces that practically absorb right into the sauce.

One last thing before we get to the recipe – I highly recommend using fresh pasta. It just has more flavor, and it cooks more quickly. I used fettuccine, but you could use any long flat pasta. Tagliatelle, linguine, pappadelle would work well too.

How to Make Lemon Parmesan Fettuccine:

Lemon Parmesan Fettuccine

Lemon Parmesan Fettuccine

An easy and elegant creamy pasta dish loaded with fresh lemon.
Print Pin Rate
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 2
Author: Kit Graham

Ingredients

  • ⅓ of a pound of Fettuccine
  • ½ cup Heavy Cream
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest
  • ⅛ teaspoon Kosher Salt
  • a pinch of Black Pepper
  • 1 ½ tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 2 tablespoons Pasta Water
  • 2 teaspoon Parmesan

Instructions

  • Put a pot of salted water on to boil. Meanwhile, whisk the cream, lemon zest, salt and pepper together.
  • If you are using dried pasta, get it cooking right away. If you are using fresh pasta, it will cook in just 2 minutes, so hold off until the sauce has reduced.
  • Pour the cream mixture into a saucepan over medium heat. Bring the cream to a steady boil, and let it reduce by half. This will take about 5 minutes. Then reduce the heat to low.
  • This is the time to start cooking your fresh pasta. Before you drain the pasta, remove 2-3 tablespoons of the pasta water from the pot. This starchy water helps bind the sauce to the noodles. Drain the pasta.
  • Add the pasta to the cream sauce. Stir in the lemon juice and 2 tablespoons pasta water. Increase heat to medium. Stir frequently, for two minutes. Add an extra tablespoon of pasta water if the sauce becomes too thick.
  • Plate the pasta, and top with the fresh parmesan.

Adapted from Culturally Confused.

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Comments

  1. Jess Zimlich says

    March 03, 2015 at 7:51 pm

    This sounds delicious. I make homemade alfredo sauce all the time, but I never knew that adding the pasta water would help with the binding! Thanks for the tip :) 26 and Not Counting
    Reply
  2. Christine Rosko says

    March 04, 2015 at 8:56 pm

    This sounds amazing. I'm going to have to make this soon
    Reply
  3. Diana says

    March 05, 2015 at 1:49 pm

    I love The Pump Room and this sounds so delicious! I'm gonna give it a try next week! :) http://yellowmondays.weebly.com/
    Reply
  4. Alice Choi says

    March 11, 2015 at 5:59 pm

    Kit, this pasta looks amazing!!! love!!
    Reply
    • Jacqueline Harris says

      August 12, 2022 at 12:12 pm

      @Alice Choi, yes it sounds like a very good And easy recipe.
      Reply
  5. Suzanne says

    February 19, 2018 at 3:55 pm

    Made this and it was amazing. It was extremely easy. Flavor was exactly what I wanted. Love anything with lemon. Will continue making this. :)
    Reply
    • thekittchen says

      February 20, 2018 at 12:29 am

      Thanks so much for the feedback! I am thrilled that you enjoyed this recipe.
      Reply
  6. Jess says

    April 17, 2018 at 3:23 pm

    Totally pinned this! Sounds amazing! I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/ Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
    Reply
    • thekittchen says

      April 18, 2018 at 1:12 pm

      Thanks so much for pinning!
      Reply
  7. Kim~madeinaday says

    April 17, 2018 at 6:09 pm

    Wow this looks so great! Pinned & Sharing. Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Hope to see ya next week! Kim
    Reply
    • thekittchen says

      April 18, 2018 at 1:13 pm

      Thank you!!
      Reply
  8. Debra Pashkowsky says

    April 18, 2018 at 1:58 am

    This looks delicious. I bet the flavors are so light and tasty. It is a great summertime dish.
    Reply
    • thekittchen says

      April 18, 2018 at 1:13 pm

      Yes! It is a super light pasta! So great for the Spring!
      Reply
  9. Chas' Crazy Creations says

    April 19, 2018 at 3:16 am

    This sounds right up my alley, Pinned. Thanks for sharing on To Grandma's House We Go!
    Reply
  10. Donna Reidland says

    April 20, 2018 at 1:35 pm

    Sounds delish!
    Reply
  11. AnnMarie Irace says

    April 20, 2018 at 10:53 pm

    Oh my, this sounds so good! Thanks for the recipe.
    Reply
  12. Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says

    April 21, 2018 at 2:25 pm

    I love the bright flavor of lemon in foods - this sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing your great recipes at the What's for Dinner party.
    Reply
  13. thenotsocreativecook says

    April 22, 2018 at 8:39 am

    This looks simply delicious - I love that this pasta has lemon in it as I am craving for something lemony. Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday party! x
    Reply
  14. Frugal Hausfrau says

    April 24, 2018 at 7:36 am

    What a beautiful spring like pasta! Thanks for sharing with us at Fiesta Friday! Mollie
    Reply
  15. Miz Helen says

    April 24, 2018 at 2:14 pm

    Great Fettuccine! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday and hope to see you again real soon! Miz Helen
    Reply

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