Creamy, easy and delicious describes this wonderful pasta dish. It's great for no meat Mondays, Fridays or any day that you'd like a yummy meal.
8 oz. penne or rigatoni pasta
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 T. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
juice and zest of 1/2 lemon
3 dashes Italian seasoning
1 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1 large handful fresh basil, torn
1 T. fresh parsley, finely chopped
salt and black pepper, to taste
Bring to boil a well salted pot of water; cook pasta according to package directions.
When the water is about ready to boil, add olive oil to a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion; sauté for 8-10 minutes, or until softened and lightly browned. Add the garlic; cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add the cream cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, and Italian seasoning. Stir for several minutes until the cream cheese has melted into a sauce. Stir in the Parmesan cheese.
Reserve 1/2 c. of pasta water; drain pasta. Add 1/4 c. of the pasta water to the sauce, adding1 T. at a time if desired. Once the sauce is thinned to desired consistency, add in the basil, parsley, and salt and pepper. Add the pasta to the skillet; toss.
Serve immediately, topped with more Parmesan cheese, if desired.
4 servings.