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    Recipes » Main Course Recipes » Pasta

    Lemon Garlic Pasta

    Published: May 11, 2020 · Modified: Dec 11, 2020 by Marissa Stevens ·

    VegetarianQuick Meals

    This post may contain affiliate links.

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    lemon garlic pasta served in a white bowl

    Lemon Garlic Pasta delivers bold, vibrant flavor with minimal effort. It's the kind of pasta dish you turn to on busy weeknights when you want a satisfying dinner on the table in 20 minutes flat.

    Think of this as a lighter, brighter version of the classic Italian pasta recipe, Pasta al Limone. Here I've swapped out heavy cream for a mixture of olive oil and butter, to add richness without dulling the vivid lemon flavor. I've also added a touch of crushed red pepper along with traditional black pepper for extra kick.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients you need for lemon Garlic pasta
    • More must try pasta dishes
    • How to Make Lemon Garlic Pasta
    • Lemon Garlic Pasta Recipe Video
    • Lemon Garlic Pasta
    • 💬 Comments

    You'll toss hot pasta in a simple lemon garlic butter sauce. A rich blend of olive oil and butter, punched up with lots of garlic and a pinch of crushed red pepper. Then fold in fresh parsley, lemon juice and zest to add lively freshness and zing. A final shower of nutty parmesan cheese rounds everything out.

    Ingredients you need for lemon Garlic pasta

    • Dry Spaghetti Noodles: Or any long, slender dry pasta.
    • Olive Oil: Use a good, flavorful one as it's a major component of the sauce.
    • Butter: If you use unsalted butter, you'll want to add a little extra salt at the end.
    • Lemon: You'll need a whole lemon, ideally organic since you'll be using the zest.
    • Fresh Parsley: Look for a perky, bright green bunch of flat leaf (Italian) parsley.
    • Garlic: Get the freshest, plumpest head you can find. You'll be using 5 cloves of it!
    • Parmesan Cheese: Ideally Parmigiano-Reggiano or Grana Padano

    For this Lemon Garlic Pasta, you want a pasta shape that's easy to slick with sauce. I've called for spaghetti, but any long, slender pasta will do nicely. Linguine or angel hair pasta (Capellini) are good options. Adding a splash of the starchy cooking water toward the end helps the sauce adhere. This serves 4 as a hearty main course or 6 as a side dish to meaty main dishes like Chicken Kabobs in the Oven, Bacon Wrapped Pork Chops, or Baked Lamb Chops. (Round out the meal with this simple Arugula Salad and Chocolate Panna Cotta or Affogato for dessert.)

    Do lemon and garlic go together?

    Lemon and garlic work beautifully together either raw or cooked! In their raw form, they go well in salad dressings, particularly when mellowed by fruity olive oil. When cooked, garlic loses its pungency and turns mild and buttery. Again, a perfect compliment to lemon's bright acidity.

    More must try pasta dishes

    • Pasta Aglio e Olio (Perfect for date night!)
    • Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta (Like this recipe, but embellished with succulent shrimp!)
    • Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta (One more riff on this recipe for chicken lovers!)
    • Bucatini all'Amatriciana (Another delicious classic that's easy enough for a weeknight.)
    • Broccoli Rabe and Sausage Pasta (This is a go-to for us and is a meal on its own - no side dish required!)

    How to Make Lemon Garlic Pasta

    Step 1: Cook pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of cooking liquid.

    pasta boiling in water

    Step 2: For the lemon garlic butter sauce, heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until sizzling. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes; cook and stir 30 seconds. Remove from heat.

    garlic and red pepper flakes cooked in olive oil and butter

    Step 3: Once pasta is cooked and drained, return skillet to medium heat. Add pasta and ¼ cup of cooking liquid; stir until heated through, adding more cooking liquid if pasta is too dry.

    tossing pasta with garlic butter sauce

    Step 4: Remove skillet from heat and stir in parsley and lemon juice and zest. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to serving platter or bowl and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Serve.

    tossing pasta with parsley lemon juice and zest
    lemon garlic pasta served

    Lemon Garlic Pasta Recipe Video

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    lemon garlic pasta served in a white bowl

    Lemon Garlic Pasta

    Marissa Stevens
    A brightly flavored, crowd pleasing pasta tossed in a simple lemon garlic butter sauce that's ready to serve in about 20 minutes!
    4.97 from 55 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 530 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 12 ounces dried spaghetti
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 5 large garlic cloves minced
    • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or more
    • 1 large lemon juice and zest
    • ⅓ cup chopped fresh parsley
    • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
    • 2 ounces parmesan cheese freshly grated

    Instructions
     

    • Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook spaghetti until firm to the bite (al dente), about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
    • Meanwhile, heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until sizzling. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes; cook and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat.
    • Once you've drained the pasta, set skillet with the garlic mixture over medium heat. Add drained, cooked pasta and ¼ cup of reserved pasta water; toss to coat. Cook and stir until heated through, adding more pasta water if pasta seems too dry.
    • Remove pasta from heat and stir in lemon zest and juice, and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to serving bowl or platter; top with grated parmesan cheese and serve.

    Notes

    1. Use any long, slender pasta you like for this recipe.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 530kcalCarbohydrates: 68gProtein: 17gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 288mgPotassium: 283mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 744IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 206mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword easy
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Pasta

    • Mushroom Carbonara
    • Bucatini Carbonara
    • Shrimp Carbonara
    • Garlic Butter Noodles

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. PattiLynne says

      July 05, 2022 at 5:49 pm

      Made it this evening...Delish! Thinking of adding capers to it next time! Thanks!

      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 07, 2022 at 8:44 am

        So glad you enjoyed this, PattiLynne! Capers are a nice addition.

    2. Moe says

      June 08, 2022 at 7:36 am

      5 stars
      So good and so quick to throw together! The recipe is wonderful as is! The second time I made it, I added marinated artichoke hearts, basil and grilled chicken. This will be a staple in my file!

      • Marissa Stevens says

        June 08, 2022 at 10:24 am

        So glad you're enjoying this and making it your own, Moe!

    3. Sandy says

      June 06, 2022 at 2:31 pm

      Trying this recipe tonight. To go with my baked lemon chicken.
      Delicious and easy, quick.

      • Marissa Stevens says

        June 08, 2022 at 10:25 am

        That's so great to hear, Sandy!

    4. Paul Theuma says

      April 12, 2022 at 10:09 pm

      5 stars
      Hmmmmm love it so fresh.

      • Marissa Stevens says

        April 16, 2022 at 8:19 am

        Thank you, Paul! So glad you're enjoying this recipe.

    5. Cheryl says

      April 01, 2022 at 10:57 am

      5 stars
      This is my second time making this and it is as delicious this time as the first time! It’s so easy to make which is a great thing! I even added tomatoes and peppers which was a big hit with the family. Thank you so much for my go to pasta recipe!

      • Marissa Stevens says

        April 01, 2022 at 11:03 am

        aww, you're so welcome, Cheryl! So glad this is a hit with you and your family and that you're adding your own twist.

    6. Tracey says

      March 28, 2022 at 7:10 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent! I use this recipe often now. Thank you so much. It's so easy and turns out perfectly every time 😁

      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 31, 2022 at 9:54 am

        aww...that's wonderful to hear, Tracey!

      • Joe says

        June 17, 2022 at 11:26 pm

        4 stars
        Great recipe! Super flavorful and a good recipe for people on lowso diet (omit the salt and reduce the cheese).

    7. Priscilla says

      March 25, 2022 at 6:21 am

      This is my kind of food. I have fresh lemon juice from my lemon tree in my freezer and I'll making this for dinner asap. I might throw in some Salmon. Thanks for sharing.

      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 26, 2022 at 10:40 am

        My pleasure, Priscilla!

    8. Betsy says

      March 15, 2022 at 9:48 am

      5 stars
      Bright flavor, easy to make!

      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 21, 2022 at 10:46 am

        So glad you enjoyed this, Betsy!

    9. Stephanie says

      March 13, 2022 at 2:35 pm

      5 stars
      I make this all the time. So easy to make and so delicious!

      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 21, 2022 at 10:47 am

        I love to hear that, Stephanie! So glad you're enjoying the recipe.

    10. Rosemary LaMacchia says

      March 04, 2022 at 4:34 pm

      I left out most of the red pepper flakes, and served the sauce over zucchini noodles. excellent!

      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 06, 2022 at 10:48 am

        So glad you enjoyed this and made it your own, Rosemary!

    11. Becky says

      February 23, 2022 at 4:39 pm

      5 stars
      So easy and so tasty! I used fettuccine and added blanched asparagus and pan seared scallops. So fancy and so easy!

      • Marissa Stevens says

        February 24, 2022 at 10:12 am

        Sounds like an amazing combination of flavors, Becky! Love that you're making this recipe your own!

    12. Robin says

      February 08, 2022 at 4:34 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious! Thank you for the easy to understand recipe.

      • Marissa Stevens says

        February 14, 2022 at 4:02 pm

        My pleasure, Robin! So glad you're enjoying the recipe.

    13. Acsana says

      February 04, 2022 at 7:50 pm

      4 stars
      It’s very good! I toned down on the crushed red pepper flakes and it still had quite a kick. Will add less crushed red pepper next time. Maybe I’m just a wimp with spicy foods.

      • Marissa Stevens says

        February 05, 2022 at 10:13 am

        Glad you enjoyed it, Acsana.

      • Sue says

        March 15, 2022 at 4:04 pm

        I have an issue with spice also - I always pick out the seeds from the crushed red pepper flakes. BUT I have found Aleppo Pepper and it's like crushed red pepper without the seeds - a much milder kick. Got it from Penzey's and LOVE it!

        • Marissa Stevens says

          March 21, 2022 at 10:42 am

          That's a great tip, Sue. Thanks!

    14. Judy Sparkes says

      January 24, 2022 at 4:00 pm

      This was absolutely simple and screaming delicious! A perfect side to seafood.
      Thanks for this!
      Jude

      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 25, 2022 at 9:23 am

        I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Judy! Sweet of you to come back and let me know.

    15. Jody says

      January 22, 2022 at 6:49 am

      5 stars
      Super easy, super quick and most importantly, super delicious 😋

      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 22, 2022 at 9:55 am

        So glad you enjoyed this, Jody! I appreciate you coming back to let me know.

    16. Delena M. says

      January 17, 2022 at 6:24 pm

      5 stars
      Easy recipe and very delicious.

      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 20, 2022 at 1:19 pm

        So glad you enjoyed this, Delena!

    17. Lauren says

      January 13, 2022 at 12:57 pm

      Super tasty! Just one thing, if you have a slightly more sensitive palette, I'd advise 3 cloves at most. My family is wincing with every bite 😅😅

      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 13, 2022 at 1:13 pm

        Hi Lauren! Glad you're enjoying the recipe and thanks for your cooking notes. You can also mellow the garlic by cooking it a bit longer before adding the pasta.

    18. Jeannette Mickey says

      January 04, 2022 at 3:23 pm

      5 stars
      Very good. Easy and delicious

      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 04, 2022 at 4:28 pm

        So glad you enjoyed this, Jeannette! Thank you for coming back to let me know.

    19. jia says

      December 23, 2021 at 6:00 am

      hi may i enquire if each serving is 530 kcal or is 4 servings a total of 530 kcal?

      • Marissa Stevens says

        December 25, 2021 at 7:14 am

        Hi Jia! The nutrition information is per serving.

    20. Laura Migliore says

      December 02, 2021 at 2:43 pm

      5 stars
      Made this for the first time tonight. Had broiled lemon chicken ,salad and breadsticks. My 7 year old grand daughter took one bite and said Yum.

      • Marissa Stevens says

        December 02, 2021 at 4:01 pm

        aww, I love to hear that, Laura! And what a great dinner combination.

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