Description
Zesty lemon garlic pasta delivers a Mediterranean sunshine on your plate, dancing with tangy notes and aromatic herbs. Creamy, quick, and irresistibly simple, you’ll savor this elegant dish that brings Italian comfort right to your fork.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) spaghetti or fettuccine
Fresh Herbs and Aromatics:
- 4 cloves fresh garlic
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 lemon zest
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water, add salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Cook pasta until tender yet firm, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- While pasta cooks, warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat for 1 minute.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until aromatic and lightly golden, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
- Grate fresh lemon zest directly into the skillet and squeeze lemon juice, creating a vibrant citrus base.
- Drain pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of starchy cooking water. Transfer pasta immediately to the garlic-lemon skillet.
- Toss pasta thoroughly, ensuring each strand is coated with the fragrant lemon-garlic mixture. If sauce seems dry, gradually incorporate reserved pasta water.
- Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, adjusting seasoning to personal taste. Gently mix to distribute flavors evenly.
- Serve hot, garnishing with additional lemon zest or chopped parsley for a fresh, bright presentation.
Notes
- Maintain al dente pasta texture by checking doneness early and removing from boiling water just before fully cooked.
- Use fresh garlic and lemon for maximum flavor intensity, avoiding pre-minced or bottled alternatives.
- Create a lighter version by substituting whole wheat pasta or gluten-free options for dietary needs.
- Balance sauce consistency by adding reserved pasta water incrementally, preventing sauce from becoming too dry or runny.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg