Aperol-Infused Creamy Lemon Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-06 · Updated 2026-04-06

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A vibrant orange pasta dish with a bittersweet citrus kick, balancing Aperol's signature flavor with rich cream and fresh lemon zest. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs Aperol, Heavy cream, Unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 520 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 oz Aperol
1/2 cup Heavy cream
2 tbsp Unsalted butter
3 cloves, minced Garlic
1, zest and 2 tbsp juice Lemon
1 tsp Dried basil
12 oz Spaghetti
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Deglaze with 2 oz Aperol, simmering for 3 minutes until reduced by half and the alcohol evaporates.
Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp dried basil, and 1/4 tsp lemon zest. Simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened, then add drained spaghetti and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss for 1 minute until coated.
Step 4: Remove from heat, stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1 tbsp lemon zest. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan.