Light Lemon Basil Pasta
Brighten up your dinner routine with this Light Lemon Basil Pasta—a simple yet stunning dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or elegant entertaining. This recipe combines al dente spaghetti with fragrant garlic, zesty lemon, and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes, all tossed in a light olive oil sauce. Fresh basil ribbons and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese add a burst of freshness and richness to every bite. Ready in just 25 minutes, this quick and easy pasta is a deliciously vibrant way to bring the flavors of summer to your table. Serve it as a satisfying vegetarian main or a side dish alongside your favorite protein for a crowd-pleasing meal.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
While the pasta is cooking, mince the garlic and set it aside. Stack the fresh basil leaves, roll them into a tight cylinder, and slice them thinly to create ribbons (chiffonade).
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook for 1 minute.
Lower the heat and add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If the pasta seems dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the desired consistency is achieved.
Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Toss again until the cheese is melted and the pasta is well coated.
Remove the skillet from heat and gently fold in the fresh basil ribbons.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan and red pepper flakes, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1133 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 59.8 g | 77% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.7 g | 78% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 44 mg | 15% | |
| Sodium | 1506 mg | 65% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 116.2 g | 42% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.6 g | 31% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.5 g | ||
| Protein | 37.4 g | 75% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 545 mg | 42% | |
| Iron | 6.6 mg | 37% | |
| Potassium | 337 mg | 7% | |
*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.
