Stanley Tucci’s Creamy Lemon Recipe
Stanley Tucci’s Creamy Lemon Recipe is a simple pasta dish with fresh Italian flavor. This recipe became famous because it uses basic ingredients and cooks very fast.
Ingredients
- Reserved pasta cooking water – 1 cup
- Spaghetti or linguine – 400 grams
- Fresh lemons – 2 large
- Parmigiano Reggiano cheese finely grated – 1 cup
- Extra virgin olive oil – 3 tablespoons
- Black pepper freshly ground – 1 teaspoon
- Salt – to taste
Instructions
Boil the Pasta
- Fill a large pot with water. Add salt generously. Boil pasta until al dente. Save one cup pasta water.
Prepare Lemon Mixture
- Grate lemon zest into a bowl. Add lemon juice and olive oil. Mix gently until combined and smooth.
Add Cheese Slowly
- Add grated cheese to lemon mixture. Stir gently. The mixture should look thick and creamy.
Combine Pasta and Sauce
- Add hot pasta to the bowl. Toss gently using tongs. Add small pasta water splashes.
Adjust Texture
- Keep mixing until sauce coats pasta evenly. Add more pasta water if needed for smoothness.
Season and Serve
- Add black pepper and salt. Toss again. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
- Always use fresh lemons for the best flavor and aroma.
- Finely grate the cheese so it melts smoothly into the sauce.
- Salt the pasta water well to build flavor from the start.
- Do not overcook the pasta. Al dente texture works best.
- Add pasta water slowly to control sauce thickness.
- Mix the sauce while pasta is still hot.
- Serve the dish immediately for the creamiest texture.