Description
A quick and flavorful whole grain spaghetti recipe featuring tender spring peas, fragrant garlic, and creamy Parmesan cheese. This easy-to-make dish combines simple ingredients to create a satisfying dinner perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
Spaghetti and Pasta Water
- 12-ounce box whole grain spaghetti
- 1 ¼ cups reserved pasta water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (to coat pasta)
Sauté and Sauce
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 cup frozen spring peas
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 3 large egg yolks, beaten
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- Coarse salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh lemon zest, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the whole grain spaghetti according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
- Drain and Coat Pasta: Drain the pasta, reserving 1 ¼ cups of the pasta water. Toss the drained pasta with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking, then set aside.
- Sauté Peas and Garlic: Heat ¼ cup olive oil in the large pot over medium-high heat. Add the frozen peas and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they are soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30-60 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Simmer with Pasta Water: Return the drained pasta to the pot. Pour in the reserved pasta water and bring the mixture to a simmer, cooking until the liquid has reduced by half, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Egg Yolks: Remove the pot from the heat. Use tongs to rapidly toss in the beaten egg yolks, stirring until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta evenly.
- Incorporate Parmesan: Stir in half of the freshly grated Parmesan cheese to enrich the sauce.
- Season: Season the pasta with coarse salt, freshly ground black pepper, and fresh lemon zest to your taste preferences.
- Serve and Garnish: Use tongs to transfer the pasta into serving bowls and garnish with the remaining Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, ensure the egg yolks are added off the heat to prevent scrambling.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and texture.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and lemon zest according to your preference.
- Whole grain spaghetti can be substituted with regular spaghetti if preferred.
- Peas can be fresh or frozen based on availability.
- Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps emulsify the sauce.
