Description
Creamy Asparagus Pasta is a simple, elegant dish featuring tender asparagus sautéed in butter, tossed with spaghetti in a luscious crème fraîche sauce flavored with lemon zest and Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spaghetti or your favorite pasta
- 1/2 pound green asparagus, trimmed and chopped into 1/3-inch slices (keep tips whole)
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 4 ounces crème fraîche (or mascarpone/cream cheese as substitute)
- Zest of 1 organic lemon
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (plus more for asparagus sauté)
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
- Reserved pasta cooking water (about 1/4 to 1/2 cup)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil for the pasta.
- While the water heats, melt butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sliced asparagus (including tips) and sauté for about 5 minutes until crisp-tender. Squeeze about 2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice over the asparagus and stir. Set aside a few asparagus tips for garnish.
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy cooking water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- In the empty pasta pot (or a clean large skillet), add the crème fraîche, most of the lemon zest, and black pepper. Heat gently over low heat, stirring until the crème fraîche melts into a liquid sauce.
- Gradually whisk in the reserved pasta cooking water, one tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches a luscious, creamy consistency.
- Add the drained pasta and most of the cooked asparagus (excluding reserved tips) to the pot with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta and asparagus are well coated.
- Serve immediately, garnished with the reserved asparagus tips, a sprinkle of fresh lemon zest, more Parmesan cheese, and freshly ground black pepper.
Notes
- Crème fraîche can be substituted with mascarpone or cream cheese if unavailable.
- Use organic lemon for zest to avoid pesticides.
- Adjust black pepper to taste for desired spiciness.
- This recipe is best served fresh and hot.