Pistachio Lemon Pasta

This is my most favourite pasta dish of all time, and the simplest and the quickest. The sauce is basically no cook and is composed of two main ingredients: pistachios and lemon.

There are no onions or garlics involved which is usually how I start most of my cooking.

Most of the recipes I found for pistachio pasta online involved cream or ricotta but I don't feel the pistachios need anymore sweetness and can handle a bit of sharpness from the lemon.

The pasta

Spaghetti is my go to pasta type even though Italians encourage us to change up the shape depending on the sauce, I just love it above all others.

Of course you can use any type of pasta you fancy and if you are really fabulous you can make your own pasta too.

The pistachios

When you blitz the pistachios, use pulse mode if possible and don't make it too fine.

I find it's best to keep the consistency varied, ranging from fine to coarse as the smaller pistachio bits will dissolve into the sauce and the coarser bits will give texture.

The lemons

I don't like to instruct people about buying organic things because they can decide that for themselves, but do try and at least buy one unwaxed loose organic lemon for zesting as pesticides seep into the skin and it is part of the final dish.

Finishing touches

Reserve your best olive oil for finishing off the pasta and the cheaper regular types for cooking with.

I also love to sprinkle some chilli flakes at the end but this is optional, as is the Pecorino (I'm a Pecorino girl, not really a fan of Parmesan). However, these little finishing touches make it extra special so try it at least once.

The sauce is so good I have to resist licking the plate when i'm done (it's really hard 😭), but it's okay as it won't be too long until I make it again 🍝

5 from 3 votes

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Pistachio Lemon Pasta

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 2

Ingredients

• Pasta enough for 2 people approx. 200g
• 3 tablespoons of blitzed pistachio kernels
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoon of lemon juice
• Approx. ½ teaspoon of salt
• A teeny tiny pinch of chilli flakes
• A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for finishing
• A sprinkling of finely grated Pecorino

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta as per instructions in well salted water
2. Warm up the blitzed pistachio and lemon zest in a pan for 2-3 minutes until you smell the aroma. Do not burn
3. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, the tiniest pinch of chilli flakes and salt. Stir together and turn the heat to the lowest setting
4. Before the pasta is done by 2 minutes, transfer to the pistachio pan with tongs. Reserve some liquid for later
5. Cook the pasta for another two minutes on medium heat, adding a little pasta water if it gets too dry. Turn the heat off when the pasta is cooked but still a bit firm
6. Add another tablespoon of lemon juice and adjust the salt as necessary by tasting a strand. Drizzle some good extra virgin olive oil to finish
7. Transfer to a wide bowl and sprinkle some grated pecorino and extra pistachio bits on top
8. Resist licking the plate when you're done 😂

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