Description
Easy Lemon Pasta is a bright and flavorful Italian-inspired dish that combines al dente spaghetti with a simple lemon-garlic olive oil sauce, finished with fresh parsley, lemon zest, and optional Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 17 minutes, this light and refreshing pasta recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a lively side dish.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- Kosher salt, for pasta water
Sauce
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 6 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, plus more to your liking
- Zest of 2 lemons
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional), plus more to your liking
Instructions
- Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a generous amount of kosher salt. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions for al dente, about 8 minutes. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Make the lemon-garlic olive oil sauce. When the pasta is about halfway done (around 5 minutes into cooking), heat 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, stirring frequently until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Whisk in the lemon juice and 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to create a light sauce. Keep the remaining pasta water for adjusting the consistency later.
- Coat the pasta in the sauce. Drain the spaghetti and immediately add it to the skillet with the lemon-garlic sauce. Toss over medium heat to ensure the pasta is thoroughly coated with the flavorful oil and lemon mixture.
- Finish and serve. Remove the skillet from heat. Add chopped fresh parsley, lemon zest, and grated Parmesan cheese if using. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss everything together again, adding a splash of reserved pasta water or an extra drizzle of olive oil if the pasta seems dry. Serve immediately while warm and fresh.
Notes
- For a vegan version, omit Parmesan cheese or substitute with a plant-based alternative.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Reserve pasta water is essential for creating a silky sauce that clings to the noodles.
- This pasta pairs well with a green salad or grilled vegetables for a complete meal.
- Use fresh lemons for the best bright citrus flavor and zest.
