The Best Cheeses To Pair With Lemon Pasta

what cheese goes best with lemon pasta

Lemon pasta is a simple, bright, and fresh dish that can be made in under 20 minutes. The ingredients are usually basic pantry items: long pasta, butter or olive oil, Parmesan, lemon (zest and juice), salt, and pepper. The pasta's starch creates a rich, silky sauce without needing to add heavy cream.

To elevate this dish, you can add chicken, shrimp, or spinach. As for cheese, Parmesan is the classic choice, but you can also try pecorino Romano, feta, or mozzarella.

Characteristics Values
Cheese Parmesan, Feta, Mozzarella, Ricotta, Pecorino Romano, Gorgonzola, Cheddar
Type of Pasta Long noodle-shaped pasta such as spaghetti, fettuccine, angel hair pasta, or linguine
Other Ingredients Lemon (zest and juice), butter or olive oil, salt, and black pepper

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Parmesan is the best cheese for lemon pasta

Parmesan: The Best Cheese for Lemon Pasta

Lemon pasta is a zesty, tangy, and bright dish that is perfect for a quick, tasty meal. The key to this simple pasta is the few ingredients used, and the fresh citrus flavours.

While there are many cheese options to choose from, Parmesan is the best cheese to use for lemon pasta. Parmesan is a classic, versatile cheese that can be used in many pasta dishes, and it is the ideal pairing for lemon pasta.

Parmesan is a hard Italian cheese with a salty, umami flavour. It is perfect for grating and melting, and it adds a salty, savoury note to the bright, tangy lemon sauce. The cheese also helps to thicken the sauce, creating a rich, creamy texture without the need for heavy cream.

When making lemon pasta, it is important to use freshly grated Parmesan. The pre-grated, shelf-stable varieties will not melt as well and can affect the smooth, creamy texture of the sauce. Grating the cheese yourself ensures it will melt instantly and creates a super smooth, luscious sauce.

In addition to its functional benefits, Parmesan also adds an authentic Italian flavour to the dish. Lemon pasta, or pasta al limone, is a classic Italian dish, especially in southern Italy and Sicily, where lemons are abundant. Using Parmesan cheese stays true to the dish's roots and enhances its simple, fresh flavours.

For the best results, be sure to use real Parmigiano-Reggiano, which is the traditional Italian variety of Parmesan. This variety is produced in specific regions of Italy and follows a strict recipe. While other varieties of Parmesan can be used, the unique flavour and quality of Parmigiano-Reggiano will elevate your lemon pasta.

So, the next time you're whipping up a batch of lemon pasta, be sure to reach for the Parmesan. With its salty, savoury flavour and melting texture, it's the perfect cheese to complement the bright, tangy notes of the lemon sauce.

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Ricotta is a good addition to lemon pasta

Lemon pasta is a simple, tasty, and versatile dish. While there are many ways to make it, the core ingredients are pasta, lemon, and cheese.

If you are looking for a creamy lemon pasta, you can add ricotta to your dish. Here is a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

  • Parmesan Cheese, shredded
  • Butter
  • Fresh Garlic, minced
  • Chicken Broth
  • Half and Half, at room temperature
  • Angel Hair Pasta
  • Fresh Lemon
  • Fresh Parsley, to garnish

Steps:

  • Shred the Parmesan cheese and set it aside to allow it to get to room temperature.
  • Melt the butter over medium heat in a large skillet.
  • Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the chicken broth.
  • Slowly stir in the half and half. Bring to a gentle boil, then add the pasta.
  • Let the pasta simmer for 4-5 minutes. Stir it often to prevent the noodles from sticking together.
  • Gradually sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, stirring as you do so, until smooth and well-combined.
  • Remove from heat and add lemon juice. Toss the pasta to combine.
  • Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve.

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Feta can add a fresh, healthy taste to lemon pasta

Feta cheese can add a fresh, healthy taste to lemon pasta. Feta is a soft cheese made from goat's milk or a mixture of goat and sheep milk. It is cut into blocks and served in small cubes, adding a savoury taste to light pasta sauces.

Lemon pasta is a simple dish to make, and feta is a great addition to the recipe. The pasta is typically made with long noodles such as spaghetti, fettuccine, angel hair pasta, or linguine. The sauce is a light, silky sauce made with olive oil, starchy pasta water, and, of course, lemon juice and zest.

Feta is a great substitute for Parmesan or ricotta cheese, which are more commonly used in lemon pasta. It adds a savoury, salty taste to the dish without the need for melting. The small cubes of feta add a nice texture to the pasta, and its strong flavour means a little goes a long way.

When making lemon pasta with feta, simply follow your favourite recipe and add the feta at the end, sprinkling it over the pasta, or stirring it through gently.

For a healthy, tasty, and quick weeknight dinner, lemon pasta with feta is a great option.

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Mozzarella is a good choice for a creamy lemon pasta

Mozzarella is a key component of a traditional four-cheese sauce, along with Parmesan, Pecorino Romano, and Gorgonzola. It's also a great choice for a creamy base in a pasta bake, such as a tuna pasta bake or a multi-layered lasagna.

While lemon pasta typically features Parmesan, butter, and starchy pasta water, mozzarella can add a delightful creaminess to the dish. It melts remarkably well, making it ideal for a rich and indulgent lemon pasta.

For a truly mouthwatering meal, combine the tanginess of lemon with the creamy, indulgent texture of melted mozzarella. It's a match made in culinary heaven!

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Pecorino Romano is a good option for those who enjoy strong, salty flavours

Lemon pasta is a simple, tasty, and elegant dish. While there are many types of cheese that can be paired with lemon pasta, Pecorino Romano is a good option for those who enjoy strong, salty flavours.

Prepared from sheep's milk, Pecorino Romano is a hard Italian cheese that is best suited for grating and sprinkling over pasta dishes. It has a strong and salty taste, so it is ideal for those who enjoy robust flavours. This variety of cheese is one of Italy's oldest, with a history dating back to the Roman era.

Pecorino Romano is a key ingredient in the simple, three-ingredient cheese pasta dish Cacio e Pepe (cheese and pepper). It also works well as a strong garnish for dishes such as a ragu or bolognese.

When preparing lemon pasta, the cheese is typically added towards the end of the cooking process. The general steps involve first cooking the pasta until al dente, then creating a sauce with ingredients like butter, garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Finally, the cooked pasta is combined with the sauce, and the cheese is added in increments until it melts, creating a creamy and well-combined dish.

For those who enjoy strong, salty flavours, Pecorino Romano can be a perfect match for lemon pasta, adding a bold and savoury note to the bright and tangy dish.

Frequently asked questions

Parmesan is the classic choice for lemon pasta. It is a versatile, hard cheese that is perfect for grating and melting.

You can also use freshly grated pecorino, ricotta, feta, mozzarella, gorgonzola, or pecorino romano.

Spaghetti is the classic pasta shape for lemon pasta, but any long noodle such as fettuccine, angel hair pasta, or linguine works too.

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