Creamy Roast Garlic and Lemon Pasta Sauce
This creamy roast garlic and lemon pasta sauce combines rich, roasted garlic flavor with bright citrus notes for a perfectly balanced, smooth, and tangy pasta accompaniment.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole garlic bulb
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 12 ounces pasta of choice (e.g., fettuccine or linguine)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the top off the garlic bulb, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, wrap in foil and roast for 30-35 minutes until soft and golden.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins into a blender or bowl.
- In a saucepan, heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the roasted garlic, heavy cream, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir and warm gently without boiling.
- Whisk in the Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach desired consistency.
- Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce until well coated.
- Serve immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
For added protein, top with grilled chicken or shrimp. A sprinkle of red pepper flakes adds a nice subtle heat.