Lemon Butter Pasta Light (Printable version)

Delicate capellini in a silky lemon-butter sauce with fresh parsley and Parmesan. Ready in 20 minutes.

# What you need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz capellini (angel hair pasta)
02 - 1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)

→ Sauce

03 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter
04 - 2 large lemons, zested and juiced (about 1/4 cup juice)
05 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

→ Finishing

06 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
07 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
08 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
09 - Salt, to taste

# Steps to follow:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the capellini and cook according to package instructions until al dente (typically 2–3 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
02 - While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir to combine and let it warm through for 1–2 minutes.
03 - Add the drained capellini to the skillet. Toss to coat the pasta evenly, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky sauce.
04 - Remove from heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
05 - Divide among plates, garnish with extra Parmesan and parsley if desired, and serve immediately.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • This comes together in under 20 minutes, making it perfect for those weeknights when you want something special but do not have hours to spend at the stove.
  • The bright lemon flavor cuts through the richness of the butter, creating a sauce that feels indulgent yet light enough for summer evenings.
02 -
  • I once added the lemon juice while the butter was still over high heat and it separated into a greasy mess, so keep the heat moderate when you add the citrus.
  • The pasta water is the secret ingredient that transforms melted butter and lemon into a creamy emulsified sauce.
03 -
  • Room temperature butter melts more evenly and creates a smoother sauce.
  • If the sauce seems too thick, add the pasta water one tablespoon at a time until it reaches the right consistency.
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