Description
A fresh and vibrant lemon pasta recipe combining tangy lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese for a quick and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces spaghetti or preferred pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente (8-10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté 1-2 minutes until fragrant, avoiding browning.
- Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir and let sauce bubble briefly.
- Add drained pasta to skillet and toss to coat with lemon sauce.
- Add reserved pasta water gradually to loosen sauce and achieve silky texture.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Avoid overcooking garlic to prevent bitterness.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest for best flavor.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
- Serve immediately for optimal freshness.
- Substitute herbs like basil or thyme for parsley if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: lemon pasta recipe, lemon garlic pasta, quick lemon pasta, easy lemon pasta dish, fresh lemon pasta