Pasta al Limone with Parmesan and Fresh Basil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-26 · Updated 2026-06-26

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 bright and creamy Italian pasta featuring fresh lemon zest, cream, and Parmesan cheese tossed with basil for a light yet indulgent meal. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs spaghetti, unsalted butter, heavy cream for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 550 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tsp lemon zest (from 2 lemons)
3 tbsp lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

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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. Reserve 1 cup pasta water and drain the pasta.
Step 2: While pasta cooks, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 minced garlic clove and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, 2 tsp lemon zest, and 3 tbsp lemon juice, cooking for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
Step 4: Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss the pasta vigorously, gradually adding reserved pasta water as needed until the sauce thickens and coats the spaghetti evenly.
Step 5: Remove from heat and fold in 1/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on the side.