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A close-up shot of easy lemon garlic pasta with fresh parsley and parmesan

Quick Easy Lemon Garlic Pasta

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A bright, zesty, and buttery pasta dish featuring fresh lemon and toasted garlic. Ready in under 15 minutes!

  • Total Time: PT15M
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb spaghetti or linguine
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 large lemon, zested and juiced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup reserved pasta water

Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until just shy of al dente.
Step 2: While the pasta is cooking, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the noodles.
Step 3: In a large skillet, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and golden.
Step 4: Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice into the garlic butter mixture.
Step 5: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss continuously for 2 minutes over medium heat to create a silky sauce.
Step 6: Remove from heat, stir in the Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, and season with salt and pepper. Add more pasta water if the easy lemon garlic pasta needs more moisture.

Notes

Always use fresh lemon and freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor profile.

  • Prep Time: PT5M
  • Cook Time: PT10M
  • Category: Main Dishes & Savory Recipes
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 410
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 350mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 52g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 11g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg