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15-Minute Lemon Pasta (No Cream or Butter!)

This is not quite the traditional spaghetti al limone, but a close version that is a tad less creamy, but still elegant and delicious. It will come together in 10 to 15 minutes, making it an ideal easy weeknight dinner! I like using spaghetti in this lemon pasta, but angel hair pasta will work nicely as well. Keep it vegetarian, or pair it with chicken piccata or shredded leftover chicken!

Prep Time
3 mins
Cook Time
3 mins
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 313 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces Spaghetti
  • kosher salt
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, more if needed
  • 6 large garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, more to your liking
  • zest of 2 lemons
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese to finish, more to your liking, optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and salt the water well. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions to al dente (about 8 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
  2. When the pasta is nearly done (about 5 minutes into cooking it), heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, and cook, stirring until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the lemon juice and about ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water for now.
  3. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet and toss over medium heat.
  4. Remove the skillet from the heat and add the parsley, lemon zest and grated parmesan. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Toss again to combine, and if needed, add a little bit more of the pasta cooking water and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Serve immediately!

Notes

  •  
  • chicken piccata
  • ! Or shred leftover
  • baked chicken
  • (or even rotisserie chicken) and throw it in the pasta. (Lots more
  • chicken recipes
  • here.)
  • garlic bread
  • or
  • blistered tomato bruschetta
  • or a fresh side dish, try a
  • quick lemony
  • arugula salad
  • or colorful
  • pomegranate tomato salad
  • . 
  • Leftovers will keep for about 3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, add it to a skillet over medium heat with a little water and heat for a few minutes until warmed through. 
  • Italian Nocellara EVOO
  •  
  • What pasta to use for this recipe? I like using spaghetti, but angel hair pasta will also work. 
  • Lemon pasta with chicken variation: Pair it with chicken piccata! Or shred leftover baked chicken (or even rotisserie chicken) and throw it in the pasta. (Lots more chicken recipes ideas here.)
  • Serve it with: Start off with some garlic bread or blistered tomato bruschetta. For a fresh side dish, try a quick lemony arugula salad or colorful pomegranate tomato salad. 
  • Leftovers and storage: Leftovers will keep for about 3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, add it to a skillet over medium heat with a little water and heat for a few minutes until warmed through. 
  • Visit our online shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including extra virgin olive oils (like the Italian Nocellara EVOO used in this recipe) and spices.

Nutrition Information

Calories 313kcal (16%) Carbohydrates 43.9g (15%) Protein 9.2g (18%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 2.1g (11%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g Monounsaturated Fat 7g Cholesterol 2.8mg (1%) Sodium 76.4mg (3%) Potassium 173.3mg (5%) Fiber 2.1g (8%) Sugar 1.6g (3%) Vitamin A 503.4IU (10%) Vitamin C 7.6mg (8%) Calcium 74.2mg (7%) Iron 1.2mg (7%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 313

% Daily Value*

Calories 313kcal 16%
Carbohydrates 43.9g 15%
Protein 9.2g 18%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 2.1g 11%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g 8%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 2.8mg 1%
Sodium 76.4mg 3%
Potassium 173.3mg 4%
Fiber 2.1g 8%
Sugar 1.6g 3%
Vitamin A 503.4IU 10%
Vitamin C 7.6mg 8%
Calcium 74.2mg 7%
Iron 1.2mg 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.