Creamy Roast Garlic and Lemon Pasta Sauce
This creamy roast garlic and lemon pasta sauce offers a perfect balance of rich roasted garlic and bright citrus, creating a luscious yet light sauce for your favorite pasta dishes.
- 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 head of garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 8 oz pasta of choice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the top off the garlic head to expose cloves, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 30-35 minutes until soft.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain the rest.
- Once garlic is cool enough, squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out into a bowl and mash into a paste.
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add roasted garlic paste and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and sauce has thickened slightly. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Toss cooked pasta in the sauce until well coated.
- Serve immediately garnished with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk and reduce the butter slightly.