Additional lemon zest, Parmesan cheese, some freshly ground pepper and some flaky salt, if desired.
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Instructions
Put a large pot of water on to boil for the pasta.
Meanwhile, combine all the lemon cream sauce ingredients in a small bowl and whisk together with a fork until well combined. Set aside for now.
When the pasta water is boiling, salt the water generously then add the dried pasta. Cook the pasta just until al dente.
Tip! There is no need to drain the pot of pasta. Simply use tongs to transfer the pasta from the cooking pot to a large, warm bowl, allowing the excess water to drip off the pasta back into the cooking pot. The bit of extra pasta-cooking water that is transfered wwiththe pasta to the bowl will benefit the sauce.
When the pasta is cooked, transfer the pasta to a warm bowl with tongs. (You can warm the bowl by swirling some of the hot pasta-cooking water in it then dumping it out).
Add the butter to the hot, cooked pasta and use the tongs to toss the pasta until well coated in the butter. Pour the lemon cream sauce overtop and again, toss well to combine. If the sauce seems dry at all, drizzle with a bit more of the pasta-cooking water as needed to loosen the sauce.
Add some fresh basil to the bowl and toss to combine.
Serve the pasta immediately garnished with additional lemon zest and Parmesan cheese and seasoned with some flaky salt and freshly ground pepper.
Notes
Note 1: As this is a no-cook sauce, the egg yolk will only be warmed by the heat of the hot, cooked pasta. As such, it is advised that you start with a pasteurized egg.Note 2: Heavy whipping cream is highly recommended as the high-fat content prevents curdling when used with the acidic lemon. The thicker consistency also creates a creamier finished dish.Tips!
Use a bit of the pasta-cooking water to warm the serving bowl. Simply pour into the bowl, swirl around and pour out before adding the cooked pasta.
This pasta is best enjoyed freshly made, so adjust the scale of the recipe to make just what you will eat right away.
Be sure to read the notes above this recipe card, for more tips on making this recipe. You'll also find step-by-step photos and a recipe video that you might find helpful.