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Easy 5-Ingredient One-Pan Lemon Garlic Pasta

one-pan lemon garlic pasta - featured image
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A quick and simple one-pan pasta recipe featuring fresh lemon, garlic, olive oil, and parmesan cheese, perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti or linguine
  • 3 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons), zest of half a lemon (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup (50 grams) grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Thinly slice the garlic cloves and juice the lemon, zesting half if desired. Grate the parmesan cheese and set aside.
  2. Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and just starting to turn golden, being careful not to burn it.
  3. Add 8 ounces of dry spaghetti to the pan. Pour in about 3 ½ cups (830 ml) of water, enough to mostly cover the pasta. Stir gently to separate strands.
  4. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a gentle boil. Cook uncovered, stirring every 2-3 minutes to prevent sticking, for about 9-11 minutes or until pasta is al dente.
  5. If water evaporates too quickly before pasta is tender, add a splash more hot water as needed.
  6. When pasta is al dente, turn off the heat. Stir in fresh lemon juice, lemon zest if using, and ½ cup grated parmesan cheese. Toss until cheese melts into a creamy sauce coating the pasta.
  7. Taste and season with salt and optional red pepper flakes. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately with extra parmesan on the side.

Notes

Cook garlic gently to avoid bitterness. Stir pasta frequently to prevent sticking. Add hot water if it evaporates too quickly. Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor. Add parmesan off the heat to melt smoothly. Reserve some pasta water to loosen sauce if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon garlic pasta, one-pan pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, 5-ingredient pasta, weeknight dinner, simple pasta

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/easy-5-ingredient-one-pan-lemon-garlic-pasta-recipe-for-quick-dinners/