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Quick Creamy Lemon Butter Pasta with Asparagus and Crispy Capers

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A quick and easy pasta dish featuring a creamy lemon butter sauce, fresh asparagus, and crispy capers for a salty crunch. Perfect for busy weeknights, this flavorful meal comes together in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces linguine or fettuccine pasta
  • 1 bunch (about 12 ounces) asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions (usually 9-11 minutes for al dente). Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, trim the asparagus and cut into 2-inch pieces. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add asparagus, season lightly with salt, and sauté for 4-5 minutes until tender-crisp and bright green. Remove asparagus and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Add lemon zest and juice, stirring to combine.
  4. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  5. Add the cooked pasta and sautéed asparagus back into the skillet. Toss to coat evenly in the lemon butter sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
  6. In a small nonstick pan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the capers and fry them for 3-4 minutes, stirring often, until they are crispy and golden brown. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  7. Remove the capers with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Reserve the butter in the pan; you can drizzle a bit over the pasta for extra richness if desired.
  8. Stir grated Parmesan cheese into the pasta mixture, tossing until melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  9. Serve immediately, topped with crispy capers and extra lemon zest or cracked pepper if desired.

Notes

Salt pasta water generously for best flavor. Do not overcook asparagus to maintain a slight crunch. Fry capers slowly over medium heat to get them crispy without burning. Use fresh lemon juice for brightness. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. If sauce separates, add pasta water to bring it back to silky texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon butter pasta, asparagus pasta, creamy pasta, quick dinner, crispy capers, easy pasta recipe, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://vexifood.com/quick-creamy-lemon-butter-pasta-recipe-with-asparagus-and-crispy-capers-made-easy/