Easy Lemon Mascarpone Pasta with Sautéed Asparagus: Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal
Discover an effortlessly delicious pasta dish that’s perfect for any occasion! This Lemon Mascarpone Pasta, generously loaded with fresh, vibrant sautéed asparagus, offers an unparalleled flavor experience. The harmonious blend of zesty lemon and creamy mascarpone creates a truly out-of-this-world taste that will have you coming back for more. Ideal as a satisfying main course or a delightful side with grilled chicken or fish, this recipe promises gourmet flavor with minimal fuss.
If you’re anything like me, busy weeknights call for meals that are not only delicious but also incredibly simple to prepare. Today, we’re diving into the world of truly easy pasta dishes – the kind that come together in a flash, leaving you more time to relax and less time slaving over a hot stove. This Lemon Mascarpone Pasta with Sautéed Asparagus fits that bill perfectly, promising a restaurant-quality meal on your table in under 30 minutes.
I’m a firm believer that gourmet doesn’t have to mean complicated or require a pantry full of exotic ingredients. This recipe is a shining example of that philosophy. You’ll only need a handful of staple ingredients, most of which you likely already have on hand. Gone are the days of needing a sprawling grocery list for a single meal. This approach not only simplifies your cooking but also your shopping trips, preventing those all-too-common moments of realizing you’ve forgotten a crucial item. We’ve all been there – a quick dash to the store turns into multiple trips because, without fail, one or two key ingredients slip your mind. Not with this recipe!
The Delight of Fresh Asparagus
Just take a moment to admire those tender, vibrant asparagus spears. There’s something truly joyful about finding beautifully fresh produce, and for me, a great batch of asparagus can truly make my day! I confess, I’m one of those people who might let out a little happy gasp (or even a squeal!) when I stumble upon perfect-looking vegetables at the grocery store. I’m sure onlookers have given me a strange look or two, but when you find asparagus this adorable, and especially when it’s such a fantastic deal (like the steal I got at $1.88/pound – practically unheard of in my area!), a little bit of exuberant happiness is entirely warranted. Naturally, when a deal like that comes along, you stock up! This means we’ll be enjoying this delightful lemon mascarpone pasta not just once, but multiple times this week, making the most of that incredible asparagus bounty.
Asparagus is not just delicious; it’s also incredibly nutritious, packed with vitamins and minerals. For this recipe, we keep its preparation simple to highlight its natural sweetness and slight crispness. A quick sauté in a touch of butter with salt and pepper is all it needs to reach perfection – tender-crisp and bursting with flavor, adding a wonderful textural contrast to the creamy pasta sauce.
Key Ingredients for an Unforgettable Sauce
Let’s break down the stars of this Lemon Mascarpone Pasta. First, the pasta itself. While any shape will do, I highly recommend using rotini. Its delightful spirals and curves are absolute magic for catching and holding onto every drop of that luscious lemon mascarpone sauce, ensuring a burst of flavor in every single bite. The way the sauce clings to the nooks and crannies of the rotini is simply divine.
Next, the sauce – the heart and soul of this dish. It’s incredibly simple yet produces a rich, vibrant flavor profile. We combine mascarpone cheese, half and half, and milk in a saucepan. Mascarpone, an Italian cream cheese, provides an unparalleled velvety texture and mild, buttery richness that elevates this sauce far beyond ordinary. While cream cheese can be used as a substitute in a pinch, mascarpone truly delivers that luxurious, authentic taste. As these ingredients gently warm and melt together, we introduce lemon zest and fresh lemon juice, which cut through the richness with a bright, zesty counterpoint. A touch of garlic powder, red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, and of course, salt and pepper, complete the seasoning. A generous helping of grated Parmesan cheese is then stirred in to add depth and a salty, umami finish.
Speedy Preparation for Busy Lives
The beauty of this recipe lies in its efficiency. Imagine having your pasta boiling, asparagus sautéing, and sauce simmering all at the same time. With a little coordination, you can have this entire meal prepared in record time, making it the ultimate solution for a quick and satisfying dinner. While the pasta cooks to al dente perfection, the asparagus gets its quick flash in the pan, and the sauce develops its incredible flavors. Each component is straightforward, and when combined, they create a symphony of tastes and textures.
For those who feel a meal isn’t complete without a protein, this pasta is wonderfully adaptable. Simply toss in about 2 cups of shredded cooked chicken – rotisserie chicken works beautifully for an even quicker meal. Add it directly into the sauce along with the cooked pasta and sautéed asparagus, ensuring every ingredient is coated in that delightful lemon mascarpone goodness. This simple addition transforms it into an even heartier main course without adding significant extra cooking time.
So, to recap, you truly only need four core ingredients for this incredible Lemon Mascarpone Pasta recipe: 1.) rotini pasta, 2.) fresh asparagus, 3.) half and half, and 4.) mascarpone cheese. All other ingredients are likely pantry staples you already possess. These four components are the perfect foundation for a dish that is both elegant and accessible.
Why This Pasta Will Become Your Go-To
Beyond its ease and deliciousness, there are many reasons why this Lemon Mascarpone Pasta with Sautéed Asparagus deserves a permanent spot in your recipe rotation. It’s incredibly versatile, serving equally well as a light main course or a sophisticated side dish for various proteins. The flavors, remarkably, tend to deepen and become even more delightful after a day or two in the refrigerator, making it an excellent option for meal prepping. Imagine having a gourmet meal ready to reheat during a busy lunch break or a particularly hectic evening!
So, what are you waiting for? Embrace the simplicity and incredible flavor of this recipe. Go ahead, make this tender asparagus pasta, and treat yourself to a truly satisfying culinary experience!
Lemon Mascarpone Pasta with Sautéed Asparagus
5 minutes
20 minutes
25 minutes
An easy to make pasta that’s perfect for a side with chicken and fish or as a main meal. This lemon mascarpone pasta is loaded with fresh, sauteed asparagus. The lemon combined with the mascarpone gives this pasta an out-of-this-world taste!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. rotini pasta (cut back to 12 oz if using chicken)*
- 1 lb. asparagus, ends trimmed and cut into 3-4 pieces
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3/4 cup half and half
- 1 1/2 cups milk (I used 2%)
- 12 ounces mascarpone cheese (cream cheese will work too)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 5 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works too)*
Instructions
- Boil the pasta according to package directions. Generally rotini takes between 7-9 minutes to cook. Drain the pasta, set aside. While the pasta is boiling, heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat, add the asparagus along with salt and pepper and sauté the asparagus for 2-4 minutes until they just start to become a darker shade of green, set aside.
- In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, combine the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, half and half, milk, and mascarpone until the mascarpone melts down and the sauce starts to come to a simmer. Once simmering allow the sauce to cook for 2 minutes. Add the parmesan cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper. Let simmer for an additional minute.
- Toss the pasta, asparagus, chicken (if using), and sauce together and serve immediately.
Notes
- Using chicken in this recipe is optional. If you do use chicken, cut the amount of pasta back. Instead of using the 1lb. recommended, use 12 ounces + 8 ounces of cooked, shredded chicken.
Have you made this recipe?
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