{"id":"7d9cd854-bbc6-4521-b9ef-37962343c668","url":"https://recipestripper.com/recipes/7d9cd854-bbc6-4521-b9ef-37962343c668","source_url":"https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026820-creamy-tomato-spaghetti-with-preserved-lemon","title":"Creamy Tomato Spaghetti With Preserved Lemon","description":"Something magical happens when preserved lemon and tomato are cooked together. In this quick and simple pasta, fragrant lemon permeates the tomato paste, creating a beautifully aromatic (and pantry-friendly) sauce with the addition of heavy cream. Spaghetti is tossed with the sauce, which ends up subtly sweet and yet bright and tangy — a comforting weeknight twist on the always beloved tomato pasta.","servings":4,"servings_text":"4 to 6 servings","prep_time":"PT5M","cook_time":"PT20M","total_time":"PT25M","ingredients":[{"text":"Fine sea salt and black pepper","item":"Fine sea salt and black pepper"},{"text":"3 tablespoons olive oil","item":"olive oil","quantity":3,"unit":"tbsp"},{"text":"½ medium yellow onion, finely chopped","item":"medium yellow onion","quantity":0.5,"preparation":"finely chopped"},{"text":"2 garlic cloves, minced or crushed in a garlic press","item":"garlic cloves","quantity":2,"preparation":"minced or crushed in a garlic press"},{"text":"5 tablespoons tomato paste","item":"tomato paste","quantity":5,"unit":"tbsp"},{"text":"½ preserved lemon, seeded and minced (about 2 tablespoons), plus more to taste","item":"preserved lemon, seeded and minced (about 2 tablespoons)","quantity":0.5,"preparation":"plus more to taste"},{"text":"2 teaspoons honey, plus more to taste","item":"honey","quantity":2,"unit":"tsp","preparation":"plus more to taste"},{"text":"1 cup heavy cream","item":"heavy cream","quantity":1,"unit":"cup"},{"text":"1 pound spaghetti (or other long pasta)","item":"spaghetti","quantity":1,"unit":"lb","preparation":"or other long pasta"},{"text":"Finely grated Parmesan (optional), for garnish","item":"Finely grated Parmesan (optional), for garnish"}],"instructions":[{"number":1,"text":"Place a large pot of water over high heat, add 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil."},{"number":2,"text":"Meanwhile, heat oil in a large pan or pot over medium-low. Add the onion, garlic, tomato paste, 1 tablespoon of the minced preserved lemon, the honey, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant and the onion starts to soften, about 5 minutes."},{"number":3,"text":"Mix in the cream, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with more preserved lemon, honey and salt as necessary. Bring to a gentle simmer, then turn off the heat and cover with a lid to keep the sauce warm."},{"number":4,"text":"Cook the spaghetti in the boiling water until almost al dente according to the package instructions, 6 to 7 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water, then drain pasta."},{"number":5,"text":"Over medium-low heat, add the spaghetti to the sauce along with ½ cup of the reserved cooking water, and toss to coat. Continue to toss until the spaghetti is al dente, adding more cooking water as needed to achieve a glossy sauce that clings to the pasta, 3 to 4 minutes."},{"number":6,"text":"Serve warm, topped with Parmesan if desired."}],"date_published":"2026-10-29T23:51:08.077684+00:00","date_modified":"2026-10-29T23:51:08.077684+00:00"}