Citrus-Infused Pasta with Choice of Toppings

Ingredients

- 12 oz pasta (e.g., spaghetti or linguine)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 lemons, zested and juiced
- 1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, freshly ground, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Optional Toppings (Choose up to two):
- 4 oz diced pancetta, cooked to crispy
- 4 oz smoked salmon, sliced
- 4 oz cooked salmon, flaked
- 4 oz canned tuna, drained and flaked
- 4 oz canned smoked oysters, drained

Instructions

1. Boil the Pasta
- Fill a large pot with water. Add a generous amount of salt and bring to a boil.
- Add 12 oz of pasta to the boiling water. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about PT9M (9 minutes).

2. Prepare the Citrus Sauce
- While the pasta is cooking, in a large skillet, heat 3 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the zest of two lemons to the oil, cooking for 1 minute to release the aromatic oils.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the juice from the lemons. Keep warm.

3. Combine and Flavor
- Once pasta is cooked, reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
- Add the pasta to the skillet with the lemon-oil mixture.
- Gradually add the grated Parmigiano Reggiano, tossing the pasta to combine. Incorporate the reserved pasta water a bit at a time until creamy. This might take PT3M (3 minutes).

4. Season and Add Toppings
- Season the pasta with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
- Choose and prepare the toppings: crispy pancetta, smoked or cooked salmon, tuna, or oysters.
- Add chosen toppings to the pasta, mixing gently.

5. Garnish and Serve
- If desired, sprinkle with chopped basil and/or cilantro for additional flavor and presentation.
- Serve immediately, enjoying the bright flavors and customizable toppings.

Total Time

PT20M
20 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Pasta, Dinner, Citrus, Lemon, Parmigiano Reggiano, Italian, Toppings, Quick, Easy, Customizable

Recipe Yield

Serves 4 adults

Calories

Approximately 1,200 calories for the entire dish (calorie count may vary based on optional toppings selection)

#PastaNight #EasyDinner #LemonPasta #GourmetMeal #CustomizableDish