Description
A bright and flavorful lemon pasta recipe featuring spaghetti tossed in a zesty lemon-garlic sauce with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese. This easy and quick dish is perfect for a light but 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 Pasta: Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of the cooking pasta water before draining completely.
- Prepare Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the minced garlic, chopped parsley, and crushed red pepper. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Lemon and Seasoning: Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and the reserved pasta water into the skillet, mixing well to combine flavors.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss with the lemon sauce, cooking for about 1 minute until the pasta is heated through and evenly coated.
- Finish with Cheese: Turn off the heat and immediately stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it clings to the pasta and forms a silky sauce.
- Serve: Serve the lemon pasta topped with extra fresh parsley, additional Parmesan cheese, and black pepper to taste.
Notes
- This lemon pasta is best served immediately to enjoy the fresh vibrant flavors.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave; add a tablespoon or two of water to loosen the sauce when reheating.
- Freezing is not recommended as the pasta can become mushy, but if desired, freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best authentic flavor.
- Adjust crushed red pepper amount to your preferred spice level.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
