Creamy Roast Garlic and Lemon Pasta Sauce
This creamy roast garlic and lemon pasta sauce combines roasted garlic’s rich sweetness with zesty lemon for a bright, flavorful dish perfect for any pasta night.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole bulb garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 12 oz pasta of choice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the top off the garlic bulb to expose the cloves. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 35-40 minutes until soft.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water; drain pasta and set aside.
- Once garlic is cooled enough to handle, squeeze the softened cloves into a blender or food processor.
- Add heavy cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the sauce into a large skillet over medium heat. Add reserved pasta water gradually to reach desired sauce consistency.
- Toss cooked pasta in the sauce until evenly coated and heated through.
- Serve topped with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut cream. Garnish with toasted pine nuts for added texture.