Lemon Pasta

5 from 4 votes

This lemon pasta is a simple joy, mixing the bright, fresh flavor of lemon with creamy Parmesan, all tangled up with perfectly cooked spaghetti. It's an easy and light dish that’s sure to bring a zesty delight to your dinner table.

Prep Time15

Cook Time15

Total Time30

Course: Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: lemon pasta

Servings:

Calories: 645kcal

Author: Joanna Cismaru

Equipment

12" All-Clad Stainless Skillet

Ingredients

12 ounces spaghetti
¼ cup olive oil extra virgin
¼ cup butter unsalted
2 cloves garlic minced
1 lemon zested and juiced
1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
salt and pepper to taste
fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. When the pasta is ready, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and then drain the pasta.
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil and butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic to the pan and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the lemon zest and juice. Remove the pan from heat.
Add the drained pasta to the pan with the lemon sauce and toss until the pasta is well coated. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to thin it out. Season the pasta with salt and black pepper to taste.
Garnish with the chopped fresh parsley or basil before serving.

Video

Notes

Lemon Selection: Choose lemons that are bright yellow, plump, and have a slightly glossy finish to ensure they are at peak ripeness for maximum flavor.
Pasta Varieties: While spaghetti is recommended, feel free to swap it out for your favorite pasta type - fettuccine or linguine also work well with this lemony sauce.
Garlic Intensity: Adjust the amount of minced garlic to your preference. If you’re a fan of robust garlic flavor, consider adding an extra clove.
Cheese Alternative: For a slightly different flavor, try using Pecorino Romano cheese instead of Parmesan. It will add a bolder, saltier edge to your dish.
Vegan Option: Substitute the butter with more olive oil and use a vegan cheese alternative to make this dish vegan-friendly.
Herb Variations: While parsley is a classic choice, consider trying fresh basil or even a sprinkle of fresh thyme or rosemary for a unique flavor twist.

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