Creamy Dill Pasta (Print Version)

Light and velvety pasta with fresh dill, lemon zest, and a luscious creamy sauce for any season.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz dried pasta (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 additional for pasta water
09 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
10 - 1½ oz grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 3 tbsp chopped fresh dill, plus extra for garnish

→ Optional Additions

12 - 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
13 - 5 oz smoked salmon, flaked (omit for vegetarian)

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. 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 slightly thickened.
04 - Add grated Parmesan, salt, and black pepper. Stir until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
05 - Add drained pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a silky consistency.
06 - Stir in chopped dill and peas if using. Toss gently until well combined and warmed through.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Serve immediately, garnished with extra dill and smoked salmon if preferred.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It's ready in 25 minutes, but tastes like you spent way more time on it.
  • The lemon and dill keep things feeling light and fresh, not heavy or fussy.
  • Once you nail this sauce, you'll find yourself making it for weeknight dinners and unexpected guests alike.
02 -
  • Never let the cream boil rapidly or it can split and separate, so keep your heat at a gentle medium.
  • That reserved pasta water is liquid gold—the starch in it helps the sauce emulsify and cling to the noodles instead of pooling at the bottom of the pan.
03 -
  • Keep everything warm and ready to go before you drain the pasta—this sauce comes together fast and tastes best served immediately.
  • The quality of your lemon makes a huge difference; if you can find thick-skinned Meyer lemons, they're worth seeking out for their fragrant, less acidic juice.
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