Description
This bright and refreshing Lemon Pasta recipe features al dente spaghetti tossed in a silky lemon, garlic, and butter sauce, finished with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Ready in just 20 minutes, it's a perfect light yet flavorful dish ideal for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 16-ounce package spaghetti
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 medium lemons (zested and juiced, about 1/4 cup juice and 1 tablespoon zest)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced, about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- 6 to 8 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley (chopped)
Optional Garnishes
- Additional parmesan cheese
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Extra sea salt
- Extra pepper
- Additional lemon zest
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta Water: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package directions until halfway done, approximately 5 minutes.
- Melt the Butter and Oil: While the pasta water heats, melt the unsalted butter together with olive oil in a large sauté pan over low heat.
- Cook the Pasta: Add spaghetti to the boiling water and cook for 5 minutes, stopping halfway through the recommended cooking time.
- Add Flavor to the Sauce: Add minced garlic and half of the lemon zest (about 1/2 tablespoon) to the melted butter and oil. Stir frequently over low heat to infuse the flavors without burning the garlic.
- Transfer Pasta: Using tongs or a spaghetti server, lift the pasta directly from the boiling water into the sauté pan with the sauce. Reserve some pasta water for later use.
- Add Lemon Juice and Pasta Water: Pour in the lemon juice and 1 cup of reserved pasta water. Toss the pasta gently to coat it evenly with the sauce.
- Simmer and Toss: Continue cooking the pasta in the sauce for another 5 to 7 minutes, tossing frequently until the pasta is fully cooked and the sauce becomes silky. Add up to 1/2 cup more pasta water as necessary to maintain a smooth sauce consistency.
- Add Cheese and Seasonings: Turn off the heat. Stir in grated parmesan cheese, kosher salt, and black pepper until melted and incorporated into the sauce.
- Serve and Garnish: Plate the pasta and garnish with chopped fresh parsley and the remaining lemon zest. Optionally, add extra parmesan cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, sea salt, pepper, and a squeeze of fresh lemon for enhanced flavor.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency; the starch helps create a creamy texture.
- Be sure to keep the heat low when cooking garlic to avoid bitterness.
- Fresh lemon zest adds brightness—don’t skip it!
- This dish pairs well with a crisp white wine or a light salad for a balanced meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat gently with a splash of water or olive oil.
