Creamy Dill Lemon Pasta

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz dried 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 extra for pasta water

09 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

10 - 1½ oz grated Parmesan cheese

11 - 3 tbsp fresh dill, chopped, plus extra for garnish

→ Optional Additions

12 - 1 cup peas, fresh or frozen

13 - 150 g smoked salmon, flaked (omit for vegetarian)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.

02 - Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and lemon zest, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.

03 - Pour in heavy cream, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. Simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.

04 - Add grated Parmesan, salt, and black pepper. Stir continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce achieves a smooth consistency.

05 - Transfer the drained pasta into the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water progressively to attain a silky texture.

06 - Stir in chopped dill and peas if using. Continue tossing until ingredients are well combined and heated through.

07 - Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with extra dill and flaked smoked salmon if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -

It comes together in under 30 minutes, making weeknight dinners feel less like a chore and more like a treat.
The lemon and dill combination tastes refreshing without being heavy, even though the cream makes it feel indulgent.
You probably have most of these ingredients already, so there's no shopping expedition required.

02 -

Don't let the cream boil hard or it can break and separate; gentle heat is the secret to a silky sauce that stays intact.
Reserve that pasta water and keep it nearby—a splash or two is often what transforms a thick, clingy sauce into something that flows like silk.
Taste the sauce before adding the pasta and adjust seasoning then, because it's easier to balance flavors when you can focus on just the sauce.

03 -