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Bowl of Lemon Garlic Pasta garnished with fresh parsley and lemon slices

Lemon Garlic Pasta

Bright, warm, and easy to make, this lemon garlic pasta dish is perfect for weeknights or guests, combining simple ingredients for a crowd-pleaser.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Base
  • 12 ounces pasta, such as spaghetti or linguine
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
Flavoring
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 lemons Zest and juice of
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, more if needed
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish Optional, red pepper flakes for heat

Method
 

Cooking Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, following package time. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta.
Preparing the Sauce
  1. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil and butter in a large pan over medium heat.
  2. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until fragrant and soft, do not let it burn.
  3. Turn off the heat for a moment, add lemon zest and lemon juice to the pan, stir well.
Combining Ingredients
  1. Add the drained pasta to the pan, toss to coat. Add Parmesan and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss again, adding more pasta water if the sauce seems dry.
  2. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like heat.
  3. Serve with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan on top.

Notes

Make sure to save some pasta water to help make a smooth, creamy sauce. For best results, use fresh lemon juice and zest, and avoid overcooking the garlic.