Creamy Lemon Spinach Spaghetti (Printable)

Thin spaghetti in tangy lemon cream sauce with vibrant fresh spinach. A simple, elegant Italian dish ready in 25 minutes.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 14 oz thin spaghetti
02 - Salt for pasta water

→ Vegetables

03 - 7 oz fresh baby spinach
04 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
05 - Zest of 1 lemon
06 - Juice of 1 large lemon

→ Sauce

07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
08 - 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon heavy cream
09 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
10 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

11 - Extra lemon zest
12 - Additional Parmesan cheese for serving

# Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain in a colander.
02 - While the pasta cooks, heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown it.
03 - Add the spinach to the skillet and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until completely wilted. Stir in the lemon zest.
04 - Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Stir in the lemon juice and Parmesan cheese, allowing the cheese to melt and the sauce to thicken slightly.
05 - Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet, tossing gently to coat evenly in the sauce. If needed, gradually add reserved pasta water in small amounts to achieve a silky, creamy consistency.
06 - Season generously with black pepper and adjust salt to taste.
07 - Serve immediately while hot, garnished with extra lemon zest and additional Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The lemon cream sauce hits that perfect balance between rich and refreshing
  • It comes together in 25 minutes but tastes like something from a proper Italian restaurant
  • The spinach makes it feel virtuous without sacrificing any comfort
02 -
  • Reserving pasta water is non negotiable, it transforms the sauce from separate to cohesive
  • Add the lemon juice off the heat or the cream might separate slightly
  • The sauce thickens quickly as it cools, so serve immediately
03 -
  • Room temperature cream incorporates more smoothly than cold from the fridge
  • Grate your Parmesan from a wedge, pre grated cheese has anti caking agents that affect texture
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