Light and Fresh Pasta
Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with this Light and Fresh Pasta recipe—a quick and flavorful dish that’s as vibrant as it is satisfying. Perfectly al dente spaghetti is tossed with sweet cherry tomatoes blistered in fragrant garlic and extra virgin olive oil, creating a simple yet irresistible sauce. A zesty splash of fresh lemon juice brightens every bite, while fragrant basil leaves and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese add an herbaceous and savory finish. Ready in just 25 minutes, this light pasta recipe is a perfect choice for busy evenings when you crave something wholesome and delicious. Serve it as a standalone meal or pair it with a crisp green salad for a complete, Mediterranean-inspired feast!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 250 grams spaghetti
- 200 grams cherry tomatoes
- 15 grams fresh basil leaves
- 2 cloves garlic
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 30 grams parmesan cheese
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
While the pasta cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes and finely chop the garlic. Zest the lemon and juice it into a small bowl, setting aside the zest and juice separately.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for 1 minute, or until fragrant.
Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and releasing their juices.
Once the pasta is cooked and drained, add it to the skillet with the tomatoes. Toss to combine.
Pour in the lemon juice and add the reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time until the sauce lightly coats the pasta.
Season the pasta with salt and black pepper, then sprinkle in the lemon zest. Toss again to mix well.
Remove the skillet from heat and add the fresh basil leaves, tearing them into smaller pieces if desired. Toss gently to combine.
Serve immediately with freshly grated parmesan cheese on top.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
463 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 25.4 g | 33% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.8 g | 29% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 13 mg | 4% | |
| Sodium | 1074 mg | 47% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 46.9 g | 17% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.8 g | 17% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.9 g | ||
| Protein | 13.6 g | 27% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 182 mg | 14% | |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 382 mg | 8% | |
*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.
