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Creamy Lemon Basil Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

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A quick and easy pasta dish combining creamy lemon basil sauce with blistered cherry tomatoes, perfect for a light and comforting summer dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 g) fettuccine or linguine pasta
  • 2 cups (about 300 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup loosely packed fresh basil, chopped
  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) heavy cream
  • Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add halved cherry tomatoes and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes blister and soften, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Add minced garlic to the tomatoes and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in unsalted butter until melted and bubbly.
  4. Lower heat to medium-low. Pour in heavy cream and stir. Add lemon zest and juice. Slowly add reserved pasta water starting with 1/4 cup (60 ml) to reach desired sauce consistency.
  5. Add drained pasta to the skillet. Toss gently to coat noodles evenly with sauce and tomatoes. Add more pasta water if sauce is too thick.
  6. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in chopped basil and Parmesan cheese if using. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Toss gently.
  7. Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil leaves and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Optionally drizzle with olive oil.

Notes

Do not skip the lemon juice for brightness. Add basil off the heat to preserve flavor and color. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Use fresh lemon zest and juice for best flavor. Avoid overcooking pasta to maintain al dente texture. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and butter with vegan butter or olive oil. Parmesan cheese is optional but recommended.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy lemon basil pasta, cherry tomatoes pasta, easy pasta recipe, summer dinner, quick pasta, basil pasta, lemon pasta, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://goldensimmer.com/creamy-lemon-basil-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-cherry-tomato-dinner/