Goat Cheese Lemon Basil Pasta
A vibrant and tangy lemon butter pasta tossed with creamy goat cheese and fresh basil leaves, offering a bright balance of zesty citrus and savory richness.
This bright and elegant pasta dish celebrates the lively combination of fresh lemon, creamy goat cheese, and aromatic basil. By emulsifying butter with freshly squeezed lemon juice and starchy pasta water, a glossy sauce coats every strand of spaghetti. The addition of tangy goat cheese at the end melts slightly into the warm pasta, creating a rich yet refreshing weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 400 g spaghetti
- 60 g unsalted butter
- 1 whole lemon
- 100 g goat cheese
- 1 bunch fresh basil leaves
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- as needed pasta water
Instructions
- 1Zest Lemon into Melted Butter
Hold a fresh yellow lemon over a hot pan with melting butter and use a metal microplane grater to finely zest the lemon peel directly into the butter. Sauté the zest with the butter until fragrant.
Tip: Be careful to grate only the bright yellow outer skin and avoid the bitter white pith underneath. - 2Add Fresh Lemon Juice
Pour the freshly squeezed juice of one lemon from a small glass cup into the hot pan containing the melted butter and lemon zest. Mix well to combine into a flavorful sauce.
Tip: Juice the lemon beforehand and remove any seeds to keep the sauce smooth and clean. - 3Stir the Lemon Butter Sauce
Use a metal spoon to stir the bubbling lemon butter sauce in the pan, ensuring the lemon juice and melted butter emulsify and blend together evenly over the heat.
Tip: Stir continuously to help build a cohesive emulsion before adding the pasta. - 4Add Cooked Spaghetti
Using metal tongs, transfer freshly boiled spaghetti noodles directly from the pot into the pan containing the prepared lemon butter sauce.
Tip: Boil the pasta until one minute less than package instructions so it finishes cooking perfectly in the sauce. - 5Toss Pasta with Basil
Toss the spaghetti noodles and a splash of reserved pasta water together with the sauce and torn basil leaves, ensuring the sauce thoroughly coats the pasta.
Tip: Always reserve some of the starchy pasta water to help bind the sauce and noodles together smoothly. - 6Season with Pepper and Salt
Sprinkle freshly ground black pepper and sea salt evenly over the pasta noodles right in the pan to enhance the savory flavors.
Tip: Season to taste while the pasta is still hot so the spices adhere well. - 7Plate the Pasta
Use a ladle and tongs to carefully lift and twirl the seasoned pasta, transferring it neatly onto a silver serving plate.
Tip: Twirl the pasta gently against the side of the pan to form a neat mound on the plate.
