Best-Kept Secret Lemon-Dill Pasta
A bright, refreshing pasta dish with creamy lemon-dill sauce that transforms simple ingredients into a standout meal. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 22 minutes pairs Penne pasta, Heavy cream, Lemon zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 2, 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.
Ingredients
- 8 oz Penne pasta
- 1/2 cup Heavy cream
- 1 tbsp Lemon zest
- 3 tbsp chopped Fresh dill
- 2 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook penne in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat a medium saucepan over medium-low. Add heavy cream, lemon zest, and minced garlic, then simmer gently for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 3: Stir in grated Parmesan until melted and smooth, then add 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to create a creamy sauce. Toss in drained penne, chopped dill, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until sauce coats pasta evenly, adding more pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best-Kept Secret Lemon-Dill Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Best-Kept Secret Lemon-Dill Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best-Kept Secret Lemon-Dill Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Best-Kept Secret Lemon-Dill Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Best-Kept Secret Lemon-Dill Pasta?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
