Your email address is required to begin the subscription process. We will use it for customer service and other communications from Milk Street. You can unsubscribe from receiving our emails at any time.


Pasta with Parmesan Cream
This recipe is free until January 22, 2025. Start your 14-day free trial to access every Milk Street recipe. Learn More.
The key to this rich, simple pasta dish is starting with a good-quality chunk of true Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano). Domestic Parmesan or even real Parmesan that’s pre-grated will not yield the right flavor and consistency. We simmer a piece of Parmesan rind into the cream for added flavor and umami; some supermarkets and cheese shops sell just rinds, or simply cut the rind off your chunk of Parmesan.
4-6
Servings
Don’t use domestic Parmesan or even true Parmesan that’s pre-grated. Neither will yield the correct flavor and consistency.
25 minutes
-
2½
cups heavy cream
-
2
inch Parmesan rind, plus 6 ounces Parmesan cheese, finely grated (3 cups)
-
2
bay leaves
-
2
tablespoons lemon juice
-
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
-
1
pound linguini fini or spaghetti

-
01In a medium saucepan over medium, combine the cream, Parmesan rind and bay. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat as needed, until slightly thickened and reduced to 2 cups, 10 to 15 minutes.
-
02Remove the pan from the heat, then remove and discard the cheese rind and bay. Whisk in the lemon juice; the mixture will thicken slightly. Whisk in the cheese a handful at a time, then continue to whisk until completely smooth. Taste and season with pepper, then set aside uncovered.
-
03In a large pot, bring 4 quarts water to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons salt and the pasta, then cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the cooking water, then drain. Return the pasta to the pot.
-
04Pour the sauce over the pasta and toss until well coated, adding cooking water as needed to thin. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve sprinkled with additional black pepper.