Lemony Thyme-Pepper Fettuccine 🍋🍝🌿
Description
When life gives you lemons, make this fragrant and fresh-tasting fettuccine! This VERY lemony dish is perfect for spring as a side dish or can be transformed into a light main course with delicious add-ins like asparagus, ham, salmon, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, or black olives. The bright citrus flavors combined with thyme and black pepper create an exquisite taste experience. 🌞🍋✨
Prep time includes soaking the lemon zest, ensuring it infuses its zesty essence into the olive oil. The cook time is based on average fettuccine cooking times, making this a quick and easy recipe that brings a burst of springtime freshness to your table. 🌿🍝💛
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 395.1
- Fat Content: 21.8g
- Saturated Fat Content: 6.2g
- Cholesterol Content: 63.1mg
- Sodium Content: 53.6mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 42.5g
- Fiber Content: 2.2g
- Sugar Content: 1.5g
- Protein Content: 8.3g
Ingredients
- 4 servings of fettuccine
- Zest of 1 1/2 lemons
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Soaking Time: 30 minutes
| Step | Time |
|---|---|
| Soak lemon zest in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil for at least 30 minutes | 30 min |
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
| Step | Time |
|---|---|
| Cook the fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente | 10 min |
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Prepare the Lemon Infusion: Begin by soaking the zest of 1 1/2 lemons in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Let this mixture sit for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial as it allows the lemon zest to release its aromatic oils into the olive oil, creating a beautifully fragrant base for your dish. 🍋🕰️✨
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Cook the Fettuccine: While the lemon zest is soaking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, typically about 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside. 🍝💦⏱️
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Combine Ingredients: In a large serving bowl, combine the hot fettuccine with the soaked lemon zest and the tablespoon of soaking olive oil. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of butter, 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Toss everything together until the pasta is thoroughly coated with the lemony, buttery mixture. 🍋🧈🌿
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Serve and Enjoy: Serve the Lemony Thyme-Pepper Fettuccine immediately. Garnish with additional lemon zest, fresh thyme, or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy this light and refreshing dish as is, or get creative with your favorite add-ins for a more substantial meal. 🍝🌞🌿
Tips and Variations
- Add-Ins: Enhance your dish by incorporating cooked asparagus, chunks of ham, flakes of salmon, halved cherry tomatoes, quartered artichoke hearts, or sliced black olives. These additions not only add flavor but also make the dish more filling. 🥦🍅🐟🍖🫒
- Cheese Lovers: Sprinkle some grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese over the top for an extra layer of richness. 🧀✨
- Herbal Touch: Substitute the dried thyme with fresh thyme or experiment with other herbs like basil or parsley for a different flavor profile. 🌿🍃
- Garlic Lovers: Add a clove of minced garlic to the lemon zest and olive oil mixture for an extra punch of flavor. 🧄💥
Keywords
Citrus, Fruit, Spring, < 60 Mins, Stove Top, Easy, Inexpensive
