Description
This vibrant Lemon Garlic Pasta is a quick and flavorful dish that combines al dente spaghetti with a zesty lemon-garlic sauce, capers, and fresh parsley. Finished with Parmesan cheese and a touch of crushed red pepper, it’s a perfect weeknight meal that can be prepared in just 20 minutes and serves 8 people.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 oz. spaghetti, cooked al dente
- 1/2 cup pasta water
- Olive oil, for tossing pasta
- Kosher salt, to season pasta
- Fresh cracked pepper, to season pasta
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 6-8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Zest of 2 lemons
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
- 3 oz. jar capers, drained
- 1/3 cup fresh chopped parsley
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook spaghetti according to package directions in a large pot of well-salted water until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. Toss the drained pasta with a drizzle of olive oil and season with salt and freshly cracked pepper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Sauce Base: In a large sauté pan, heat the butter and 4 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-low heat until the butter is melted and combined.
- Sauté Garlic and Seasoning: Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently, until the garlic becomes fragrant and just pale golden, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Lemon and Capers: Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, drained capers, and chopped parsley along with a small splash of the reserved pasta water. Cook the mixture for 1 minute to meld the flavors.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the pan and toss well to coat all noodles evenly with the sauce.
- Finish Cooking: Continue cooking the pasta in the sauce for about 1 minute until heated through. Add additional reserved pasta water gradually as needed to achieve a silky, smooth sauce that clings to the noodles.
- Season and Garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, then enjoy!
Notes
- Be careful not to overcook or burn the garlic; it should be fragrant and lightly colored.
- Reserve pasta water before draining to help create a smooth, cohesive sauce.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes according to desired spice level.
- This dish is best served immediately for optimal texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
