Lemon Garlic Pasta
A bright and flavorful pasta dish featuring fresh lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and herbs. Quick to make and perfect for a light dinner or side dish.
Prep
: 10
Total
: 25 minutes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
- 0.25 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 lemon zest of lemon
- 0.5 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook, stirring frequently, until garlic is fragrant and lightly golden, about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to burn.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in lemon zest and lemon juice. Let the sauce simmer gently for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Add reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until the sauce reaches desired consistency.
- Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan and parsley if desired.
Notes
For a creamier sauce, stir in 2 tablespoons of butter at the end. This dish pairs well with grilled chicken or shrimp.