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Easy Zesty Lemon Garlic Pantry Pasta

zesty lemon garlic pantry pasta - featured image
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A quick and flavorful pasta dish made with pantry staples like spaghetti, garlic, lemon, and olive oil. Perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti or your favorite pasta
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 large lemon, zest and juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt, to taste, plus for pasta water
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 4 quarts/4 liters). Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of spaghetti and cook until just al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Reserve 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta cooking water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and golden but not browned.
  3. Toss in 1/4 teaspoon (or to your liking) of red pepper flakes to the garlic oil. Stir for 30 seconds to release their flavor.
  4. Zest 1 large lemon directly into the skillet, then squeeze in the juice. Stir everything together, letting the sauce bubble gently for a minute to marry the flavors.
  5. Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the noodles.
  6. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Stir in 1/4 cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined. If using, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley for a fresh herb finish.
  7. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on the side.

Notes

Avoid burning the garlic by cooking it gently over medium heat. Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce and achieve a silky texture. Fresh lemon zest adds more flavor than zesting elsewhere. Fresh Parmesan melts better than pre-grated. Add protein or veggies for variations.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon garlic pasta, quick pasta recipe, pantry pasta, easy dinner, zesty pasta, garlic pasta, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://grubella.com/easy-zesty-lemon-garlic-pantry-pasta-recipe-perfect-for-quick-dinners/