CREAMY LEMON PASTA WITH PISTACHIOS

Creamy Lemon Pasta with Pistachios image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 9

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2 lemons
2 slices white sandwich bread
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
2 large eggs plus 2 large yolks
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 cups finely grated Parmesan (4 ounces), plus more for serving
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
12 ounces spaghetti
Chopped pistachios and chives (optional), for serving

Steps:

Grate 2 1/2 teaspoons zest from lemons, then remove remaining zest in long strips with a vegetable peeler. Slice zest thinly (or remove zest with a channel zester); set aside. Squeeze 2 teaspoons of juice from 1 lemon (reserve rest of this lemon for another use).
In a food processor, pulse bread into very coarse breadcrumbs (you should have 1 cup). Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add breadcrumbs and 1 teaspoon grated zest. Cook, stirring, until crumbs are golden and crisp, about 3 minutes. Remove from pan; let cool completely. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, yolks, cream, cheese, and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons grated zest.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water; add pasta to bowl with cheese mixture. Season with a generous amount of pepper and some salt. Use tongs to toss until pasta is fully coated. Add remaining 4 tablespoons butter and lemon juice; toss until a creamy sauce forms. (If necessary, thin with a little pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time.)
Serve pasta sprinkled with breadcrumbs, pistachios, more cheese, chives, and julienned lemon zest.