Lemon Garlic Pasta

I’m about to share a recipe that’s like a warm hug on a plate—Lemon Garlic Pasta. This dish is comfort food at its best, where zesty lemon meets buttery garlic, and they fall in love on a bed of spaghetti. It’s simple, vibrant, and pretty much my go-to on nights when I need a little sunshine therapy but don’t have time to make anything complicated. You’ll want to try it because it’s a ridiculously easy way to impress your taste buds without breaking a sweat.

Sunday nights at our house are all about the rituals—the ones that pull us away from our screens and into the comfort of our kitchen. My husband and kids pretty much jump for joy when they see me start zesting lemons and chopping garlic. There was this one night, chaotic like most, where I was singing along wildly to my favorite retro hits while cooking, though I should’ve been watching the pasta. In a haze of musically-induced bliss, I overdid the garlic just a notch—weirdly, everyone loved it even more! Lemon Garlic Pasta has now ingrained itself in our family as the dish peppered with laughter and my less-than-perfect singing.

How to Make It

Oh, the secrets to making this beauty are in the casual, cluttered art of kitchen play. Start boiling your spaghetti—you don’t need a fancy timer, just taste now and then. While that’s happening, heat up some butter in the coziest pan you’ve got. Toss in chopped garlic, and if you spill some, it’s no big deal. Grab that lemon and zest away—think of it as your stress reliever! Add lemon juice, and don’t panic if seeds fall in; you’ll scoop them later. Combine with pasta, toss with parmesan, and there she is—your bowl of happiness.

✔Ingredient Notes

– Spaghetti: Use whichever shape you like; I once used penne when the pantry was barren. It worked!
– Garlic: A little or a lot, you do you. I’ve accidentally doubled it with no complaints.
– Lemon: Freshness is key here. Don’t even look at the plastic lemon squeezer.
– Butter: Salted is my guilty pleasure, but do what your heart tells you.
– Parmesan Cheese: Don’t skimp on it. Life’s too short for fake cheese.

✔Recipe Steps

1. Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente.
2. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
3. Sauté garlic until fragrant but not brown.
4. Add lemon zest and juice; stir well.
5. Toss in cooked spaghetti and mix thoroughly with sauce.
6. Sprinkle parmesan and give it one last, loving mix.

What to Serve It With

✔Tips & Mistakes

Drizzle a bit of olive oil if you’re feeling fancy, or toss in some spinach because I find it lurking in the fridge. Skip the heavy side dishes; maybe a crisp salad or just a glass of white wine—it’s a meal that stands on its own.

✔Storage Tips

Store leftovers (if you have any, which is rare for us) in an airtight container in the fridge. Honestly, it’s great cold straight out of the bowl when you can’t wait or have given up on reheating. It’s breakfast more times than I’d like to admit.

✔Variations and Substitutions

Swap spaghetti for whatever pasta shape you haven’t cleared out yet. No butter? Olive oil’s your best friend here. Throw in grilled chicken if you need protein, or sneak in veggies for the kiddos. Honey can step in for a subtle sweet note if you’re all out of lemons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lemon Garlic Pasta

This zesty lemon garlic pasta is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for weeknights, combining fresh lemon juice, garlic, and Parmesan cheese over al dente spaghetti.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 12 oz spaghetti
• ▢ 3 tbsp olive oil
• ▢ 4 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 1 tbsp lemon zest from one lemon
• ▢ 3 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
• ▢ 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
• ▢ 0.5 tsp salt plus more to taste
• ▢ 0.125 tsp black pepper freshly ground
• ▢ 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese grated
• ▢ 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes.
• While pasta cooks, heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
• Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water. Add pasta to skillet with garlic oil.
• Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
• Remove from heat. Mix in grated Parmesan and chopped parsley. Serve immediately.

Notes

You can add grilled chicken or shrimp for added protein. Enjoy with a side of garlic bread and a green salad.