This Linguine with Meyer Lemon Mascarpone is sure to become a new family favorite! It's comforting, full of flavor from pure, simple ingredients, and comes together in one pan in just 20 minutes!
Brighten Up Winter With Meyer Lemons
I'm not a fan of the cold, flu season or any of the nastiness that goes along with winter. But despite the dreariness of January, we also get the chance to start over and reset. A fresh start.
It's so fitting that citrus fruits are in season because they just give winter that perfect bright lift it needs!
Meyer lemons are in season during winter months. They're less acidic and are therefore sweeter than regular lemons. These lemons have a distinct flavor that is really perfect for brightening up salads and pasta dishes such as this one!
As a dietitian I love to incorporate Meyer lemons into my meal plans. From a nutrition standpoint, Meyer lemons are a nutrient-packed fruit that provides vitamin C, antioxidants and fiber while being low in calories. Incorporating Meyer lemons into your diet can support immune health and heart health as well as digestion, making them a great addition to any healthy eating plan.
Reasons To Love Linguine with Meyer Lemon Mascarpone Sauce
I love this recipe because it's on the lighter side and quick enough for a weeknight meal.
You won't mind eating whole wheat pasta because the earthiness of the whole wheat linguine goes so well with the creamy, citrusy sauce, the herbs and the slightly salty flavor of the grated cheese.
This recipe is very versatile. You can go crazy with different herbs, more cheese or lemon juice. It's all up to your taste buds. Just don't forget to reserve some pasta water before you strain the cooked linguine! You need this salty, starchy water to make a great tasting sauce.
Linguine with Meyer Lemon Mascarpone Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 lb. whole wheat linguine
- ½ cup Meyer lemon juice plus zest from one of the lemons
- 2 garlic cloves minced depending on your love of garlic
- ⅓ cup mascarpone cheese
- ½ cup basil plus extra for garnishing
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- ¼ cup chopped pine nuts
- grated pecorino romano cheese
- coarse salt
- freshly grated pepper
Instructions
- Cook linguine as directed in a large pot of salted water and reserve some of the pasta water as indicated above.
- In meantime while the linguine is cooking, place the garlic, herbs, oil, juice and a pinch of salt in a small mixing bowl and whisk together.
- Transfer cooked pasta back to the pot and add the juice/herb mixture, half of the reserved pasta water.
- Stir in the mascarpone cheese.
- If the pasta is not creamy enough for your liking, here is where you can add a little bit more pasta water and mascarpone until you get the desired creaminess.
- Serve the pasta with the grated cheese, some more of the herbs, lemon zest, pine nuts and freshly grated pepper.
Notes
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Nutrition
I prefer to focus on quality ingredients from a variety of sources that work in tandem to promote optimal health. Nutrition calculations may not reflect these valuable interactions. However, I understand certain values can be helpful to some. Please note these calculations are merely estimates. Values will vary depending on modifications, brands used, and portion size. Should you require specific information, it's best to consult with a dietitian or qualified healthcare provider.
EA The Spicy RD says
Just saw this on Instagram and had to check out the recipe-it looks AMAZING! I am lucky to have a lemon tree ((Eureka, not Meyer) that produces lemons almost year round, so I will be trying this w/ gluten free pasta ASAP! And, YES to meditation!! I started last year using the Calm app. It's not something I do every day, but I've kept up the habit 3-5 times/week for the past year, and I think it's really helped me a lot to de-stress and sleep better. Happy New Year!
Donna Castellano says
Hi there! Happy New Year to you as well! Thanks so much for checking out the post! So jealous about your lemon tree! You live in California right? Must be such a dream although, I heard a lot of much needed rain lately? I'm going to check out that Calm app. I'm still experimenting. I'm new to the at home meditation but do a good amount in yoga so I've gotten better and better at it. So interesting that you really do need to practice it regularly to get good at it. But any little bit helps.
Janice Belcher says
This was delicious! I searched by ingredients (mascarpone, lemon, pasta) which I had on hand. Simple easy preparation with excellent results. This will be included in meal rotation, although I will use other lemons when Meyer are not in season. Thank you for a great recipe. Dinner for six that everyone enjoyed. Thank you for this recipe. My interest was piqued by some others on your blog as well, can't wait to try more!
Donna Castellano says
How awesome to hear Janice!! Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for taking the time to let me know 🙂
Lauren says
I just made this after googling “lemons and mascarpone.” This is SO good! What a great, quick meal to pull together. The flavor is incredible!
Donna Castellano says
Thanks Laruen! You made my day!! So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂