Description
Quick Lemon Pasta is a bright, creamy, and refreshing 20-minute meal made with spaghetti, fresh lemon zest, garlic, butter, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. This simple Mediterranean-inspired pasta delivers vibrant citrus flavor balanced with rich, silky texture. Perfect for busy weeknights or light summer dinners, it’s elegant, comforting, and incredibly easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
- 400g (14 oz) spaghetti or linguine
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Zest of 1 large lemon
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta cooking water
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- Optional: red pepper flakes for heat
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions.
- While the pasta cooks, heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown it.
- Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Add drained pasta directly into the skillet with the garlic butter.
- Stir in lemon zest and fresh lemon juice.
- Add grated Parmesan cheese and a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Toss everything together until a smooth, silky sauce forms and coats the pasta evenly.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and optional red pepper flakes before serving.
Notes
Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor. Add lemon juice off direct heat to keep it bright and fresh. Reserve pasta water to create a creamy sauce without adding cream. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently with a splash of water or olive oil.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg