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Creamy lemon pasta

Creamy lemon pasta (or pasta al limone), is a traditional Italian pasta dish that celebrates the flavours of fresh lemons with a rich, cheesy parmesan sauce. Like similar dishes cacio e pepe and carbonara, the key to pasta al limone is using a gentle touch to emulsify a smooth sauce with the use of the pasta cooking water.

Creamy lemon pasta

Creamy lemon pasta (or pasta al limone), is a traditional Italian pasta dish that celebrates the flavours of fresh lemons with a rich, cheesy parmesan sauce. Like similar dishes cacio e pepe and carbonara, the key to pasta al limone is making the most out of a simple ingredient list and using a gentle touch to emulsify a smooth sauce with the use of the pasta cooking water.

Published

By Adam Liaw

Source: SBS


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  • serves 4 people
  • preparation 10 minutes
  • cooking 10 minutes
  • difficulty Easy level

Ingredients

  • 500 g dried bucatini (or other long pasta)
  • 1 cup (250 ml) evaporated milk
  • 1 lemon, juiced and finely zested
  • ½ tsp powdered vegetable stock
  • 50 g butter
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus extra to serve
  • Black pepper

Instructions

  1. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions, checking about 2 minutes before the time recommended on the packet for al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water in a heatproof jug.
  2. Heat a large frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the evaporated milk, lemon zest (reserve the juice for later), vegetable stock powder, butter and parmesan.
  3. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly so the milk doesn’t burn, to a smooth sauce. Add the cooked pasta, lemon juice and about ½ a cup of the pasta water. Gently toss the pasta in the mixture, until the sauce is thickened to the consistency of pouring cream. Remove the pan from the heat.
  4. Serve the creamy lemon pasta with a little extra grated parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper.

Photography by Jiwon Kim.

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Cook’s Notes

Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.


SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only. Read more about SBS Food

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