Stanley Tucci’s Creamy Lemon Recipe
You must try Stanley Tucci’s Creamy Lemon Recipe at home. This pasta dish is bright, fresh, and very tasty.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of spaghetti or thin linguine pasta.
- 2 large fresh lemons zest and juice.
- 1/2 cup of heavy cream or whole milk.
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter cut in cubes.
- 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
- 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt.
- 1/2 teaspoon of cracked black pepper.
- 1/4 cup of fresh basil or parsley leaves.
- 1 cup of reserved hot pasta water.
Instructions
Boil the Water
- Fill a large pot with water and add salt. Bring it to a very rolling boil on high.
Cook the Pasta
- Add your spaghetti to the boiling water now. Cook it until it is firm to the bite.
Save the Water
- Scoop out one cup of the starchy pasta water. Do not forget this step before draining the pot.
Zest the Lemons
- Grate the yellow skin off the lemons very gently. Avoid the white part because it tastes quite bitter.
Melt the Butter
- Melt the butter cubes in a large skillet. Keep the heat on a medium-low setting today.
Mix the Sauce
- Whisk the cream and lemon juice into the butter. Let it simmer for just one minute total.
Add the Pasta
- Transfer the cooked pasta into the warm lemon sauce. Use your tongs to coat every single strand.
Add the Cheese
- Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the hot pasta. Toss it well so the cheese melts into sauce.
Use Pasta Water
- Add small splashes of the saved pasta water. This makes the sauce extra creamy and very smooth.
Season the Dish
- Add the lemon zest, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently to combine all the bright flavors.
Garnish and Serve
- Top the pasta with fresh basil or parsley. Serve it immediately while it is very hot.
Notes
- Always use fresh lemons for the best flavor.
- Do not overcook the pasta in the water.
- Add the cheese slowly to prevent big clumps.
- Use the pasta water to fix a dry sauce.
- Grate your own cheese for a better melt.
- Keep the heat low when adding the cream.
- Warm your serving bowls before you plate it.
- Add a little garlic if you like extra spice.