Some nights, the idea of cooking a big meal feels like a huge mountain to climb. You know those days, right? You want something delicious and comforting, but you just don’t have the energy for a complicated recipe. That’s where this amazing lemon garlic pasta comes in to save the day.
It’s one of my all time favorite easy dinner recipes. Seriously. With just a handful of simple ingredients you probably already have, you can whip up a meal that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant. Let’s get cooking!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, this dish is incredibly fast. We’re talking about a meal ready in about the time it takes to cook the pasta. This makes it one of the best easy weeknight dinners you can find. No more spending hours in the kitchen after a long day.
The flavor is just so bright and fresh. The combination of zesty lemon, fragrant garlic, and a little kick from red pepper flakes is simply wonderful. It’s light yet satisfying, which is a combination I always look for.
It’s also very budget friendly. Pasta, garlic, and lemon are all inexpensive ingredients. You get a whole lot of flavor without having to spend a lot of money. This is one of those great dinner ideas recipes that keeps your wallet happy.
And let’s talk about how simple it is. There are no tricky techniques here. If you can boil water and stir things in a pan, you can absolutely make this dish. It’s a fantastic recipe for beginners who want to build their confidence in the kitchen.
Ingredients
The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. Here’s what you’ll need to create this fantastic meal. Each ingredient plays a key role, so try to use the freshest ones you can find for the best results. Good quality makes a huge difference in easy dinner recipes like this one.
- 12 ounces dried spaghetti
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 5 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or more
- 1 large lemon, juice and zest
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to see how these simple ingredients come together? Following these steps will give you a delicious pasta dish every single time. Let’s walk through it together. These are some of the easiest quick dinner ideas around!
Step 1: Cook The Pasta
First, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Don’t forget to salt your water generously! A good rule of thumb is about a tablespoon of salt for every four quarts of water. This seasons the pasta from the inside out and makes a big difference in the final taste.
Add your spaghetti to the boiling water and cook it according to the package directions until it’s al dente. This means it should still have a slight bite to it. We don’t want mushy pasta. This usually takes about eight minutes.
Before you drain the pasta, make sure to reserve about one cup of the starchy pasta water. This liquid gold is key to creating a silky, beautiful sauce later on. Then, you can go ahead and drain the spaghetti in a colander.
Step 2: Create The Garlic Sauce
While your pasta is cooking, you can get the sauce started. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Wait until the butter is melted and the mixture is sizzling just a little bit. This combination gives a rich flavor.
Now, add your minced garlic and the crushed red pepper flakes. Cook this mixture, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant. This happens very quickly, usually in about 30 seconds. You want the garlic to be a light golden color, not brown or burnt, as that will make it bitter.
Once you smell that amazing garlic aroma, immediately remove the skillet from the heat. This stops the cooking process and prevents the garlic from burning while you wait for the pasta to finish. It’s a simple trick for many easy dinner recipes.
Step 3: Combine Everything
Once your pasta is drained, place the skillet with the garlic mixture back over medium heat. Add the cooked spaghetti directly into the skillet. Pour in about a quarter cup of that reserved pasta water you saved earlier.
Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. Continue to cook and stir until the pasta is heated all the way through. If the pasta seems a little dry, go ahead and add another splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches a nice, silky consistency.
Step 4: Add The Finishing Touches
Now for the final burst of flavor. Remove the skillet from the heat completely. Stir in the fresh lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Mixing these in off the heat keeps their flavors bright and fresh. This is what makes it one of my top easy weeknight dinners.
Give it a final taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. The salted pasta water means you might not need a lot of extra salt, so always taste first. This is a good habit for all dinner ideas recipes.
Transfer the beautiful pasta to a large serving bowl or platter. Sprinkle generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and serve it up right away. Enjoy that amazing meal you just made!
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them is simple. Let the pasta cool down to room temperature first. Then, place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to three days.
When you’re ready to reheat, you can do so in the microwave or on the stovetop. I prefer the stovetop. Just add the pasta to a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or olive oil to help loosen it up. Heat until it’s warmed through, and it will taste great.
Tips
Want to customize this dish? It’s one of those easy dinner recipes that’s fun to change up. Try adding some protein like grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or even a can of chickpeas for a vegetarian boost.
You can also add some veggies. A handful of fresh spinach wilted into the sauce at the end is delicious. Sautéed mushrooms, roasted broccoli, or cherry tomatoes cut in half would also be wonderful additions. Feel free to get creative!
Don’t have spaghetti? No problem. Any long, slender pasta like linguine, fettuccine, or angel hair will work just as well. This is a forgiving recipe, so use what you have on hand.
For the best flavor, always use fresh lemon juice and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The bottled stuff just doesn’t compare. The little bit of extra effort is totally worth it for amazing quick dinner ideas like this one.
Conclusion
And there you have it! A simple, elegant, and incredibly flavorful pasta dish that is perfect for any night of the week. This recipe proves that you don’t need a lot of time or fancy ingredients to make a truly satisfying meal.
I really hope this becomes one of your go to easy dinner recipes. It’s a dish that brings so much comfort and joy with so little effort. It’s a wonderful reminder that the best meals are often the simplest ones. Happy cooking!
FAQ
Can I Make This With A Different Type Of Pasta?
Absolutely! While spaghetti is classic, this sauce is great with any long pasta like linguine or fettuccine. Even shorter shapes like penne or rotini would work well as they have ridges to catch the delicious garlic sauce.
What Can I Add For More Protein?
This is a great base for adding protein. Cooked shrimp, grilled chicken strips, or even flaked salmon would be wonderful. For a vegetarian option, you could add white beans or chickpeas for a hearty addition to your easy weeknight dinners.
Is This Recipe Spicy?
The recipe calls for a quarter teaspoon of red pepper flakes, which gives it a very mild warmth rather than a strong spice. If you enjoy more heat, feel free to add more. If you prefer no spice at all, you can leave them out entirely.
Can I Use Bottled Lemon Juice?
For the best and brightest flavor, fresh lemon juice is highly recommended. The recipe also uses lemon zest, which you can only get from a fresh lemon. The fresh juice provides a much more vibrant taste than bottled versions in these kinds of easy dinner recipes.
Lemon Garlic Pasta
Some nights, the idea of cooking a big meal feels like a huge mountain to climb. This amazing lemon garlic pasta is an easy dinner that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant, with just a handful of simple ingredients.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8 minutes. Reserve about one cup of starchy pasta water before draining the spaghetti in a colander.
- While pasta cooks, heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until sizzling. Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 30 seconds until fragrant and light golden. Immediately remove from heat to prevent burning.
- Return the skillet with the garlic mixture to medium heat. Add the cooked spaghetti directly into the skillet, along with about a quarter cup of reserved pasta water. Toss everything together to coat evenly. Continue to cook and stir until the pasta is heated through, adding more pasta water if needed for a silky consistency.
- Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the fresh lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Taste and season with additional kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
- Transfer to a large serving bowl or platter. Sprinkle generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
Notes
If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them is simple. Let the pasta cool down to room temperature first. Then, place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to three days. When you’re ready to reheat, you can do so in the microwave or on the stovetop. Just add the pasta to a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or olive oil to help loosen it up. Heat until it’s warmed through.
Want to customize this dish? Try adding some protein like grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or even a can of chickpeas for a vegetarian boost. You can also add some veggies. A handful of fresh spinach wilted into the sauce at the end is delicious. Sautéed mushrooms, roasted broccoli, or cherry tomatoes cut in half would also be wonderful additions. Feel free to get creative!
Don’t have spaghetti? No problem. Any long, slender pasta like linguine, fettuccine, or angel hair will work just as well. This is a forgiving recipe, so use what you have on hand.
For the best flavor, always use fresh lemon juice and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The bottled stuff just doesn’t compare. The little bit of extra effort is totally worth it.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
