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Trattoria Summer Spaghetti al Limone with Preserved Lemon Burrata

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A bright, creamy, and easy-to-make summer pasta featuring preserved lemon and burrata cheese, perfect for a quick family dinner with a touch of elegance.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340g) spaghetti
  • 1 medium preserved lemon rind, finely chopped (or zest of 1 lemon + 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt as a substitute)
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • 8 ounces (225g) burrata cheese (or fresh mozzarella balls as a substitute)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • A handful fresh basil or flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • Grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until just shy of al dente (about 8 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium-low heat in a large sauté pan. Add the minced garlic and sauté gently until fragrant, about 1 minute. Avoid browning the garlic.
  3. Stir in the finely chopped preserved lemon rind and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Cook for another 30 seconds to release their flavors.
  4. Add the drained spaghetti to the pan with the lemon-garlic oil. Toss to coat well. Slowly add reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until the sauce clings smoothly to the pasta and looks glossy but not soupy.
  5. Remove the pan from heat. Stir in the fresh lemon zest and juice, tossing quickly to freshen and balance the flavors.
  6. Divide the pasta among plates. Tear the burrata into generous chunks and scatter on top. The warm pasta will soften the cheese, creating creamy pockets. Sprinkle with chopped basil or parsley.
  7. Optionally, grate Pecorino Romano or Parmesan over each serving and drizzle with good olive oil.

Notes

Rinse preserved lemon rind under cold water to reduce saltiness before chopping. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Avoid overcooking garlic to prevent bitterness. Add fresh lemon juice off heat to preserve brightness. Add burrata just before serving to maintain creamy texture. Taste before adding extra salt due to saltiness of preserved lemon and cheese. For extra creaminess, add a splash of heavy cream or mascarpone. Burrata can be substituted with fresh mozzarella or plant-based alternatives for vegan version.

Nutrition

Keywords: spaghetti al limone, preserved lemon, burrata, summer pasta, easy pasta recipe, family-friendly pasta, lemon pasta, creamy pasta

Find it online: https://novanosh.com/trattoria-summer-spaghetti-al-limone-recipe-easy-family-favorite-with-preserved-lemon-burrata/