Lemon Spaghetti with Parmesan
Brighten up your weeknight dinners with this zesty and comforting Lemon Spaghetti with Parmesan! This quick and easy recipe combines al dente spaghetti with a luscious lemon-infused sauce, featuring freshly squeezed lemon juice, fragrant zest, and a touch of garlic for depth. Tossed with creamy melted Parmesan and finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this dish offers a perfect balance of tangy and savory flavors in every bite. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a simple yet elegant meal that’s ideal for busy weeknights or casual entertaining. Serve it with a crisp green salad or crusty bread for a complete Italian-inspired feast!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams spaghetti
- 60 ml olive oil
- 2 whole lemons
- 2 cloves garlic
- 100 grams Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 120 ml pasta cooking water
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente, then reserve 120 ml of pasta cooking water and drain the rest.
While the spaghetti is cooking, zest and juice both lemons, keeping the zest and juice separate. Finely mince the garlic cloves and chop the parsley.
In a large skillet or frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Stir in the lemon zest and cook for another 30 seconds to release its aroma.
Lower the heat slightly and add the reserved pasta water, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta evenly in the lemon sauce. Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese, tossing as you go, until the cheese melts into the sauce and becomes creamy.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of extra pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
Serve the lemon spaghetti warm, garnished with fresh parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
390 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 22.1 g | 28% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.7 g | 33% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 22 mg | 7% | |
| Sodium | 650 mg | 28% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 35.3 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.8 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.4 g | ||
| Protein | 14.2 g | 28% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 246 mg | 19% | |
| Iron | 1.6 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 106 mg | 2% | |
*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.
