Fiery Lemon Pasta Side Dish
Elevate your dinner table with the zesty, bold flavors of this Fiery Lemon Pasta Side Dish, a quick and easy recipe perfect for weeknight meals or as a standout complement to your favorite mains. This dish combines the brightness of freshly zested and juiced lemon with the subtle heat of red pepper flakes, creating a tantalizing balance of tangy and spicy. A silky sauce of olive oil, unsalted butter, and Parmesan cheese clings perfectly to al dente spaghetti or linguine, while minced garlic infuses every bite with aromatic warmth. Finished with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of more Parmesan, this 25-minute recipe is a must-try for citrus lovers and spice enthusiasts alike. Perfect as a flavorful pasta side or light vegetarian entree, it’s guaranteed to impress!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 250 grams Pasta (spaghetti or linguine)
- 1 whole Lemon (zested and juiced)
- 2 cloves Garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 50 grams Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper (freshly ground)
- 125 milliliters Pasta water (reserved)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 125 milliliters (half a cup) of pasta water before draining.
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, until fragrant.
Add the red pepper flakes to the skillet, stirring to combine, and cook for another 30 seconds.
Lower the heat to medium-low and add the lemon zest and juice to the skillet. Stir well to distribute the flavors.
Stir in the unsalted butter and let it melt completely, creating a silky sauce.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing it gently to coat with the lemon and spicy garlic sauce.
Gradually pour in the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, while tossing, until the pasta is evenly coated and the sauce slightly thickens.
Remove the skillet from heat and mix in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
Season the dish with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Transfer the pasta to a serving dish and garnish with chopped fresh parsley and additional grated Parmesan, if desired. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
836 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 80.8 g | 104% | |
| Saturated Fat | 29.6 g | 148% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 102 mg | 34% | |
| Sodium | 3136 mg | 136% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 13.0 g | 5% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.1 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.8 g | ||
| Protein | 21.3 g | 43% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 610 mg | 47% | |
| Iron | 1.6 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 296 mg | 6% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
