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Herbed Lemon Garlic Fettuccine - A Bright and Creamy Pasta Delight

This Herbed Lemon Garlic Fettuccine is a delightful combination of creamy sauce, fresh herbs, and zesty lemon that brightens up any meal. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this pasta dish is sure to impress!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 oz fettuccine pasta or any pasta of your choice
  • 1 tablespoon salt for pasta water
For the Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin for best flavor
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream can substitute with half-and-half for a lighter option
  • 1 cup fresh spinach chopped
  • 1 lemon zest and juice freshly grated
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated, plus more for serving
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil or 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper to taste

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Making the Sauce
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Once hot, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  2. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped spinach, dried basil, dried oregano, and black pepper. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the spinach is wilted and the sauce is slightly thickened.
  3. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add some reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Combining Pasta and Sauce
  1. Add the drained fettuccine to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly in the creamy sauce. If needed, add more reserved pasta water to help the sauce adhere.
  2. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or pepper as desired.
Serving
  1. Serve the Herbed Lemon Garlic Fettuccine warm, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

Feel free to add grilled chicken or shrimp for added protein. You can also swap out the spinach for other leafy greens such as kale or arugula. For a vegan option, consider using coconut cream and nutritional yeast in place of heavy cream and Parmesan.