Description
This vibrant Lemon Pasta recipe combines the zesty freshness of lemon juice and zest with garlic, olive oil, and parmesan cheese to create a light and flavorful pasta dish. Perfect as a quick weeknight dinner, it balances simple ingredients to deliver a refreshing and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound spaghetti (cooked, with ½ cup pasta water reserved)
Sauce
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley (plus more for serving)
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt (plus more for salting pasta water)
- ⅓ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- Black pepper for serving
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Prepare the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, fresh parsley, and crushed red pepper. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant and the garlic is lightly golden, being careful not to burn it.
- Add lemon and seasoning: Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and reserved pasta water. Let the mixture heat through for about 1 minute to marry the flavors.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing well to coat the noodles thoroughly with the lemon-garlic sauce. Continue cooking for about 1 minute until the pasta is heated through.
- Finish with cheese: Turn off the heat and sprinkle in the grated parmesan cheese, stirring until the cheese clings evenly to the pasta, creating a creamy texture.
- Serve: Dish out the pasta onto plates and garnish with additional fresh parsley and parmesan cheese. Season with black pepper to taste. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- This fresh lemon pasta is simple to make with just a few basic ingredients including garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, zest, and reserved pasta water.
- For a creamier texture, you can add a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of ricotta cheese when stirring in the parmesan.
- Adjust the crushed red pepper amount to your spice preference or omit it for a milder dish.
- Make sure to reserve the pasta water as it helps emulsify the sauce and coat the noodles evenly.
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best flavor and melting quality.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 oz cooked pasta
- Calories: 292 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 151 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 4 mg
