- 12 tablespoons (1½ sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- Grated zest of 1 lemon
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 pound small shrimp, shelled and deveined
- Salt
- ½ pound pappardelle
- Freshly ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped Italian parsley
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- In a large frying pan, melt the butter. Add the onion, lemon zest, cream, shrimp, and salt to taste. Bring to a boil. Immediately reduce the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil. Add 1½ tablespoons of salt. Stir in the pasta and cook until al dente, stirring often. Drain, reserving 1 cup of hot pasta water.
- Add the pappardelle to the pan with the sauce and toss well. Add a little hot pasta water if too dry. Cook over medium-low heat for 3 or 4 minutes. Sprinkle with pepper and parsley and toss well. Serve immediately. Pass the Parmesan cheese.