Quick & Easy Lemon Pasta

Spring is in the air and I’m starting to crave “summer” flavors but it’s still cold enough that I want something warm and filling as well.  This Lemon Pasta fits the bill perfectly, and it can be whipped up super quick.

Here’s what you’ll need:

3 lemons, zest and juice

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1 1/2 cups sour cream (or just a couple of really large scoops, really no need to measure)

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 box of pasta (I used penne, but use whatever you have on hand)

red pepper flakes to taste (you could also add a dash of cayenne pepper, just enough for a little warmth)

salt

pepper

To Make:

Put the pasta water on to boil.  As the water is heating mince the garlic and zest the lemons, chop of the lemon zest a bit so it is really fine.

Once you’ve but the pasta in to start cooking place a large skillet on the stove and melt the butter with the olive oil on medium heat.  Once the butter is melted add the garlic (be careful it doesn’t burn) let the garlic cook for a few seconds and add the lemon zest, lemon juice and red pepper flakes.

Lower the heat and add the sour cream stir to combine, add salt and pepper to taste.  Drain and the pasta to the sauce.  If the sauce is to thick you can always add some of the pasta water to it, but be careful you don’t want it to be too thin.

I served it with some extra black pepper on top (yes in a paper bowl- don’t judge), you could add chicken and it would be wonderful as well.

My husband said it tasted like what he always thought lemon pledge smelled like.  Apparently this is a good thing.

Regardless of his olfactory issues, I thought that it was a very good pasta, great as a full meal or a side dish (for those of you who prefer a well rounded meal, I’d serve it with a piece of  fish or chicken and a small salad perhaps).

Addy- the self portrait

I've always enjoyed making a mess in the kitchen. As a small child I used to sneak into the kitchen to make "rabbit stew" (this consisted of emptying my mom's spices into a large pot of water. Yeah, I was a great kid.) These days I spend my time in the kitchen cobbling together "what-ever-the-heck-you've-got casserole", pushing ethnic-inspired food on my husband and occasionally being called upon to feed the in-laws. I hope you enjoy trying these recipes in your own kitchen. Make sure you let me know what you like! If you want to find me elsewhere on the web- well good luck with that! I'm a baby blogger- this is my first foray into blog land (so let me know how I'm doing!). In real life I can often be found lurking amongst the stacks at local bookstores and libraries sipping on diet pepsi.