Go Back

Italian Lemon Garlic Pasta

A bright, zesty pasta tossed in lemon, garlic, and olive oil — a simple yet elegant Italian favorite ready in under 25 minutes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
  • 2 tbsp salt for pasta water
Lemon Garlic Sauce
  • 0.33 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 large lemon zested and juiced
  • 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • 0.5 tsp salt plus more to taste
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 0.75 cup reserved pasta water
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 2 tbsp butter optional
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Skillet
  • Tongs
  • Microplane grater

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente.
  2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
  3. Add lemon zest, juice, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer briefly.
  4. Add pasta and reserved water to the skillet, tossing until a silky sauce forms.
  5. Add Parmesan cheese and butter, tossing until creamy and smooth.
  6. Top with parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Use high-quality olive oil for the best flavor. Add shrimp or grilled veggies for variation.