Description
Craving a quick, elegant meal that’s bursting with bright flavors? Lemon-Pepper Fettuccine combines creamy fettuccine with a zesty lemon sauce, accented by sharp pecorino and bold black pepper. This easy recipe yields 4 servings, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a cozy date night
Ingredients
Scale
Lemon-Pepper Fettuccine uses simple, flavorful ingredients for a vibrant result. Here’s what you’ll need for 4 servings:
- Kosher salt: For pasta water and seasoning.
- 12 ounces fettuccine: Tender, flat noodles to hold the sauce.
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter: Adds richness to the sauce.
- 1 large shallot, minced: Provides mild, sweet onion flavor.
- 1 ¼ cups heavy cream: Creates a creamy, luxurious sauce.
- 1 large egg yolk: Adds richness and helps thicken the sauce.
- 1 to 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest: Brings bright, citrusy flavor.
- ⅓ cup grated pecorino cheese, plus more for garnish: Adds sharp, salty depth.
- Freshly ground pepper: Provides bold, spicy contrast.
- Crusty bread, for serving (optional): Perfect for soaking up sauce.
Why These Ingredients Matter
- Fettuccine: Wide noodles cling to the creamy sauce for perfect bites.
- Lemon Zest: Adds vibrant, fresh citrus notes to balance richness.
- Pecorino and Pepper: Provide sharp, salty, and spicy flavors for depth.
- Heavy Cream and Egg Yolk: Create a smooth, velvety sauce.
Substitutions and Variations
- Fettuccine: Swap with linguine, tagliatelle, or gluten-free pasta.
- Butter: Use olive oil or vegan butter for dairy-free.
- Shallot: Replace with ½ small onion or 1 teaspoon onion powder.
- Heavy Cream: Substitute with half-and-half or coconut cream for dairy-free (note flavor change).
- Egg Yolk: Omit for lighter sauce or use 2 tablespoons cream cheese for creaminess.
- Lemon Zest: Swap with orange zest or 1 teaspoon lemon extract (use sparingly).
- Pecorino Cheese: Replace with Parmesan, Romano, or nutritional yeast for vegan.
- Pepper: Use white pepper for milder heat or add ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes for spice.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta.
- Flavor Variations:
- Herb-Infused Pasta: Add 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or basil with the cheese.
- Garlic Lemon Pasta: Add 1 minced garlic clove with the shallot.
- Veggie-Packed Pasta: Toss in 1 cup sautéed spinach or asparagus.
- Creamy Lemon Shrimp Pasta: Add ½ pound cooked shrimp when tossing pasta.
- Spicy Lemon Pasta: Add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes with the pepper.
Instructions
Step 1: Gather and Prep
- Gather all ingredients: kosher salt, 12 ounces fettuccine, 1 tablespoon butter, 1 large shallot, 1 ¼ cups heavy cream, 1 egg yolk, 1-2 teaspoons lemon zest, ⅓ cup pecorino cheese, pepper, crusty bread (optional).
- Mince shallot; grate lemon zest; grate pecorino cheese.
Tip: Prep ingredients in advance for quick assembly; zest lemon carefully to avoid bitter pith.
Step 2: Cook Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add 12 ounces fettuccine; cook to al dente per package instructions (about 8-10 minutes).
- Drain, reserving ½ cup cooking water.
Tip: Cook pasta al dente to maintain texture; reserve extra water in case needed for sauce.
Step 3: Make Sauce
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add minced shallot and a pinch of salt; cook, stirring, until lightly golden, about 3 minutes.
- In a bowl, whisk 1 ¼ cups heavy cream, 1 egg yolk, and 1-2 teaspoons lemon zest.
- Reduce skillet heat to low; add cream mixture and ⅓ cup grated pecorino cheese.
- Cook, whisking, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
- Season with salt and 2-3 teaspoons freshly ground pepper.
Tip: Whisk constantly to prevent curdling; keep heat low to avoid scrambling the egg yolk.
Step 4: Combine and Serve
- Add cooked fettuccine to the skillet; toss with sauce, adding reserved pasta water (1-2 tablespoons at a time) to loosen if needed.
- Divide among 4 bowls (about 1 ½ cups per serving).
- Garnish with extra grated pecorino cheese and a sprinkle of pepper.
- Serve with crusty bread, if desired.
Tip: Toss pasta gently to coat evenly; serve immediately for creamy texture.