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Quick 15-Minute Lemon Garlic Pasta Recipe Easy Homemade Parmesan Delight

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A quick and easy lemon garlic pasta with Parmesan that is ready in under 15 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners and packed with bright, savory, and creamy flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti or linguine
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1 cup (100 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt, to season pasta water and sauce
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Use about 1 tablespoon of salt per 4 quarts (4 liters) of water. Cook the spaghetti or linguine according to package instructions, usually 8 to 10 minutes for al dente. Taste at 8 minutes to check texture.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and lightly golden. Avoid burning the garlic.
  3. Add lemon zest and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Stir for 30 seconds to release oils and aromas.
  4. Once pasta is ready, reserve 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta cooking water and drain the rest.
  5. Add drained pasta to the skillet with garlic and lemon zest. Toss well to coat.
  6. Pour in fresh lemon juice and about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of reserved pasta water. Toss or stir vigorously to combine and create a silky sauce. Add more pasta water if needed.
  7. Turn off heat and gradually stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  8. Finish with chopped parsley for freshness and color. Toss once more and serve immediately.

Notes

Add Parmesan off heat to avoid clumping. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Avoid burning garlic by cooking over medium heat and watching closely. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan and add nutritional yeast. Use gluten-free pasta if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon garlic pasta, quick pasta recipe, easy pasta, Parmesan pasta, weeknight dinner, lemon pasta, garlic pasta, simple pasta recipe

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