Creamy Dill Pasta Delight (Printable)

A velvety pasta featuring fresh dill, lemon zest, and rich cream for a refreshing, easy meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz dried pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne)

→ Sauce

02 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - Zest of 1 lemon
05 - ¾ cup plus 1 tbsp heavy cream
06 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
07 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
08 - 1 tsp salt, plus additional for pasta water
09 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
10 - 1½ oz grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 3 tbsp chopped fresh dill, plus extra for garnish

→ Optional Additions

12 - 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
13 - 5 oz smoked salmon, flaked (omit for vegetarian)

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
02 - Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and lemon zest; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in heavy cream, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. Simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
04 - Add Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Stir until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
05 - Add drained pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat thoroughly, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a silky consistency.
06 - Stir in chopped dill and peas if using. Toss until well combined and heated through.
07 - Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with extra dill and smoked salmon if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in the time it takes to boil pasta, which means dinner is ready before hunger turns into hanger
  • The sauce clings to every strand like it belongs there, no watery puddles at the bottom of the bowl
  • Fresh dill and lemon make even takeout pasta taste restaurant worthy
02 -
  • The sauce thickens quickly off heat, so err on the side of slightly too loose before removing from the stove
  • Lemon zest contains essential oils that juice doesn't have, so don't skip it for the full bright flavor
  • Dill loses its punch quickly in heat, so stir it in at the very end for the freshest taste
03 -
  • Save extra pasta water even if you think you won't need it, that liquid gold fixes many sauce mistakes
  • Room temperature cream prevents curdling when it hits the hot pan
  • Add dill fronds as garnish right before serving for the prettiest presentation
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