Garlic Lemon Pasta is a quick, delightful recipe that everyone loves. If you are just getting into cooking pasta, then this simple recipe will be a hit on your first try. That’s how I got addicted to this recipe. It was a weekend evening, and I suddenly got a call that guests were coming over. As shocked as I was, I still needed to figure out a good meal idea that everyone would love.
Now, I have friends who follow a vegetarian lifestyle, hence I needed to consider that as well. Being a meat lover myself, I thought of all the recipes I could, but I could not come up with a better recipe than this.
Filled with confusion and excitement of trying out a new recipe, I tossed the ingredients in the pan, and the recipe was ready in just 20 minutes. With all that said, this recipe is made effortlessly, yet it is a sophisticated dish built on pantry basics. So, if you want to enjoy a last-minute yet delicious meal, bookmark this recipe right away.
Equipment Required
- Saucepan: To boil my pasta, I am using a saucepan.
- Skillet: For cooking my pasta, I am using a skillet.
- Spatula: To toss and twirl everything together, I am using a spatula.
- Cheese Grater: I prefer using fresh cheese, so I use my cheese grater.
Garlic Lemon Pasta Ingredients & Substitutions
Note: The ingredients in this recipe can serve up to 4 people. You can increase or decrease the servings for more or fewer servings.
- 8 Ounces Spaghetti
- 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter sliced into pats
- 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice & Zest
- 2 Cloves Garlic, minced
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 Tablespoon Sea Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 Teaspoons Black Pepper
- Fresh Parsley
Preparation And Cooking Time
| Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Minutes | 15 Minutes | 20 Minutes |
How To Make Garlic Lemon Pasta Recipe At Home
Step 1
Take a saucepan filled with water and add the spaghetti to boil.
Step 2
Then, take a pan, and add butter, garlic, and chili flakes.
Step 3
Further, add boiled spaghetti to the pan and mix in everything evenly.
Step 4
Add the pasta stock to the pan.
Step 5
Now, when everything is combined, add a teaspoon of lemon juice and zest.
Step 6
Moving forward, season your pasta with salt, black pepper, and parsley.
Step 7
Finally, garnish it with Parmesan and serve!
Step 8
The homemade Garlic Lemon Pasta will be ready in no time.
Expert Tips That I Recommend
- If you have read my earlier recipes involving pasta, you know I always cook it until al dente. Remember that it will continue cooking in the skillet, so you do not need to cook it thoroughly while boiling.
- To keep my Garlic Lemon Pasta fresh, I avoid using bottled lemon juice. Bottled lemon juice can build up acidity, which is a big no-no. Hence, I prefer to use fresh lemon juice for this purpose.
- Additionally, it is crucial to add the lemon juice at the correct time. If you add it too early, the lemon juice will get cooked, and the fresh zing will be gone.
- The zest of the lemon has more flavor than the juice, so you can consider adding it as well.
- I always make sure that I toss the pasta gently. If not, it will be unflavored and unappetizing.
- If you don’t mind your Garlic Lemon Pasta being spicy, then you can add crushed red pepper flakes to it.
- I don’t compromise the flavors by using pre-shredded cheese. Always opt for fresh cheese, as pre-shredded cheese often contains preservatives that can ruin the dish’s flavor.
- Finally, don’t restrict yourself from experimenting. You can always add more or less of whatever your heart desires.
FAQs About Garlic Lemon Pasta Recipe
Nutritional Information Per Serving
I wish I could have Garlic Lemon Pasta every day, but it is not healthy to consume it regularly. Being high in calories, it needs to be consumed in moderation. To give you more insights, I have added a nutritional table below:
| Calories | 731 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 88 g |
| Protein | 24 g |
| Fat | 31 g |
| Saturated Fat | 19 g |
| Trans Fat | 1 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2 g |
| Cholestrol | 77 mg |
| Sodium | 3900 mg |
| Potassium | 332 mg |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Vitamin A | 908 IU |
| Vitamin C | 5 mg |
| Calcium | 345 mg |
| Iron | 2 mg |
However, on the brighter note, this recipe is nut-free, soy-free, and vegetarian. Hence, people following this recipe can have it without any restrictions. However, people following dairy-free and gluten-free diets need to make certain changes first.
Recipe Variations For Different Diets
- Dairy-Free: If you follow a dairy-free diet, then you need to use vegan cheese for this recipe. Regular cheese is not dairy-free.
- Gluten-Free: People who follow a gluten-free diet need to use gluten-free pasta. Regular pasta is not gluten-free, so always double-check the ingredients list.
Storing & Reheating This Recipe
Storing
- Counter Top: Garlic Lemon Pasta gets spoiled quickly at room temperature. Hence, I leave it on the countertop for only an hour.
- Refrigeration: When I make Garlic Lemon Pasta in huge quantities, I like to refrigerate it for 1-2 days. To do this, I allow it to cool down completely, after which I place it in an airtight container to keep the taste and texture intact.
- Freezing: If you want to extend the shelf life of the Garlic Lemon Pasta, you can freeze it for 1-2 months. Just make sure that it cools down and then transfer it to airtight freezer-friendly bags.
Reheating
- Skillet: I prefer to reheat Garlic Lemon Pasta in a skillet. I simply add the leftovers and toss them around until they are heated evenly. If your pasta gets dry, you can add a splash of water.
- Microwave: If you want to reheat small portions of Garlic Lemon Pasta quickly, you can use a microwave. Add the Garlic Lemon Pasta to a microwave-friendly bowl and heat it for 20-30 seconds at medium heat. I recommend keeping a close eye on it, or it can dry out quickly.
What To Serve With This Recipe
Once your Garlic Lemon Pasta is ready, you can serve it with tons of dishes. I like to have it with a source of protein like baked Fish, Grilled Chicken, or shrimp as well. If you enjoy tofu, then you can also have it with sautéed tofu. Roasted veggies and grilled zucchini are also some of my top recommendations.
You can also have them with broccoli or Caesar salad if you are into healthy eating. To turn it into a snack idea, you can enjoy it with crunchy Garlic Bread on the side. Spring rolls and Soup also complement this dish really well.
Printable Version
Creamy Garlic Lemon Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 Ounces Spaghetti
- 4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter sliced into pats
- 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice & Zest plus more for garnish
- 2 Cloves Garlic minced
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice plus more to taste
- 1 Tablespoon Sea Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 Teaspoons Black Pepper
- Fresh Parsley for garnish
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Skillet
- Spatula
- Cheese Grater
Instructions
- Take a saucepan filled with water and add the spaghetti to boil.
- Then, take a pan, and add butter, garlic, and chili flakes.
- Further, add boiled spaghetti to the pan and mix in everything evenly.
- Add the pasta stock to the pan.
- Now, when everything is combined, add a teaspoon of lemon juice and zest.
- Moving forward, season your pasta with salt, black pepper, and parsley.
- Finally, garnish it with parmesan and serve!
- The homemade Garlic Lemon Pasta will be ready in no time.
Notes
- If you have read my earlier recipes involving pasta, you know I always cook it until al dente. Remember that it will continue cooking in the skillet, so you do not need to cook it thoroughly while boiling.
- To keep my Garlic Lemon Pasta fresh, I avoid using bottled lemon juice. Bottled lemon juice can build up acidity, which is a big no-no. Hence, I prefer to use fresh lemon juice for this purpose.
- Additionally, it is crucial to add the lemon juice at the correct time. If you add it too early, the lemon juice will get cooked, and the fresh zing will be gone.
- The zest of the lemon has more flavor than the juice, so you can consider adding it as well.
- I always make sure that I toss the pasta gently. If not, it will be unflavored and unappetizing.
- If you don’t mind your Garlic Lemon Pasta being spicy, then you can add crushed red pepper flakes to it.
- I don’t compromise the flavors by using pre-shredded cheese. Always opt for fresh cheese, as pre-shredded cheese often contains preservatives that can ruin the dish’s flavor.
- Finally, don’t restrict yourself from experimenting. You can always add more or less of whatever your heart desires.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe ?Tag @thefoodxp on Instagram and Hashtag it #thefoodxp!More Pasta Recipes That You Can Try
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Conclusion
A simple Garlic Lemon Pasta that fills you up and tastes refreshing will always be my favorite. This recipe should be on your to-do list if you enjoy low-maintenance meals. This is just one of those recipes that no one can get enough of.
So, try it out and let me know what you think about it in the comments. If this is your first time, then I am sure it will impress you.
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