Pasta al Limone

Pasta al Limone is a classic Italian pasta dish, originating from Southern Italy, particularly the Amalfi Coast and Sicily, where lemons are abundant. It typically features long pasta like spaghetti or linguine tossed in a bright, creamy sauce made from lemon juice, zest, heavy cream, and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, often finished with fresh basil.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is high in carbohydrates from the pasta and fat from the cream and cheese, with a moderate amount of protein from the cheese and pasta. A standard serving provides roughly 600-800 calories, along with key nutrients like calcium from the cheese and vitamin C from the lemon.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	550 kcal
Protein	18 g
Carbs	52 g
Fat	30 g
Fiber	3 g
Sugar	4 g
Sodium	680 mg
Calcium	320 mg
Iron	2.5 mg
Potassium	280 mg
Vitamin A	450 IU
Vitamin C	8 mg
Vitamin D	15 IU
Phosphorus	250 mg
Selenium	35 µg

Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, it's a perfect example of Italian 'cucina povera' (peasant cooking) transformed into elegance, using simple, local ingredients to create a luxurious flavor. Nutritionally, the lemon's acidity not only brightens the dish but may also aid in the absorption of iron from the wheat pasta.