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    Home > Blog > Pasta & Noodles > Garlic and Lemon Pasta

    Garlic and Lemon Pasta

    by Jenny Park · Published: Apr 11, 2023

    Jump to Recipe
    A quick, easy and delicious Garlic and Lemon Pasta dish that can be made in just 20 minutes! We love this simple, minimal ingredient, flavor packed dish! It's the perfect weeknight meal, especially on those extra busy nights.
    Garlic Lemon Pasta in a bowl with a fork.
    Garlic Lemon Pasta in a bowl with a fork.
    Lemon pasta in a bowl with breadcrumbs on top.
    Garlic Lemon Pasta in a bowl with a fork.
    Lemon pasta in a bowl with breadcrumbs on top.
    Garlic Lemon Pasta recipe in a bowl with a fork.

    Simple and delicious meals that can be made in under 30 minutes is one of our favorite things to make and our Garlic and Lemon Pasta never fails to make it into both our bi-weekly meal rotations! I really love how simple, but flavorful this pasta always turns out!

    One of my favorite components about this pasta is the buttery breadcrumb topping. The breadcrumbs add such a nice texture contrast to the soft pasta. It’s one of our favorite quick weeknight meals along with our Romesco Sauce Rigatoni (another quick and easy pasta dish)!

    Why We Love This Garlic and Lemon Pasta Recipe

    We seriously love this pasta so much! It’s one of our favorite meals to make for our families for so many reasons.

    • It comes together in just 20 minutes – making it a perfect quick and easy weeknight meal!
    • Our pasta uses only a handful of basic ingredients (which you probably already have in your pantry and refrigerator).
    • It’s a minimal effort meal, which always makes us happy.
    • It’s very easy to tweak and make your own based on personal preference!

    How to Make Garlic and Lemon Pasta

    Ingredients

    Process

    Breadcrumb Topping

    Lemon pasta topping ingredients.
    1. Place a large pan over medium heat and melt butter.
    2. Add breadcrumbs and toast for 1 minute.
    Melted butter in a skillet with breadcrumbs.
    Breadcrumbs toasting in a skillet with butter.
    1. Stir in salt and chives. Remove from heat, transfer to a bowl and set aside.
    Breadcrumbs with chives in a skillet tp sprinkle over lemon pasta.

    Pasta

    Lemon pasta ingredients on a counter.
    1. Place a large pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Once water is boiling, add a small handful of salt and spaghetti. Cook spaghetti for 6 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente. Strain pasta into a colander, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
    2. Using a paper towel, wipe out the same pan used for breadcrumbs. Place pan over medium heat and add oil. Add shallots and garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, just until the mixture becomes fragrant, but hasn’t started to brown.
    Pasta cooked and drained in a colander.
    Garlic and shallots cooking in a skillet with butter and oil.
    1. Add lemon zest, juice and crushed pepper flakes and continue to cook for another 30seconds.
    2. Add pasta and pasta water and toss together. Cook until half the liquid has evaporated, about 1 minute. Add parmesan then season with salt and pepper and toss together until pasta is evenly coated.
    Pasta sauce for lemon pasta cooking in a skillet.
    Garlic and lemon pasta being tossed together in a skillet.
    1. Transfer pasta to serving bowls or plates and top with breadcrumb mixture, more lemon zest and more grated parmesan. Serve.
    Lemon pasta in a bowl with breadcrumbs on top.

    Lemon Pasta Tips and Tricks for Success

    • Don’t forget to add a little bit of pasta water to the dish. It really helps to bring the dish together and add a slight creaminess to the overall meal.
    • Use fresh lemons for the juice/zest! The lemon flavor is such a big part of this pasta, that it really needs the fresh lemon to make it shine.

    Variations

    • Mix up the citrus that’s used. Oranges and limes both make great alternatives (or even additions) to the pasta!
    • Use Italian breadcrumbs instead of panko, if you want more of a subtle crunch from the topping.
    • Swap the oil out for butter and add a splash of cream to the mixture (and slightly reduce) before adding the pasta for a creamy sauce.
    • Boost the flavor even more for some fresh herbs like minced thyme, torn basil or even thinly sliced chives.
    • Add some protein like some sautéed chicken or buttery shrimp!
    Lemon pasta up close in a bowl.

    Storing Leftovers and Reheating Garlic and Lemon Pasta

    Our lemon pasta can be stored in an airtight container, in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days. To reheat, transfer pasta to a pan with a little bit of water and heat over medium-low heat until pasta has warmed through.

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    Garlic lemon pasta being eaten with a fork.

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    Garlic Lemon Pasta in a bowl with a fork.

    Garlic and Lemon Pasta

    5 from 1 vote
    PRINT RECIPE Pin Recipe
    A quick, easy and delicious Garlic and Lemon Pasta dish that can be made in just 20 minutes! We love this simple, minimal ingredient, flavor packed dish! It's the perfect weeknight meal, especially on those extra busy nights.
    RECIPE BY Teri & Jenny
    Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
    Total Time: 20 minutes mins
    Servings: 4

      INGREDIENTS  

    breadcrumb topping

    • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
    • 1 tablespoon thinly sliced chives
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt

    pasta

    • 12 ounces dry spaghetti or bucatini
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons minced shallots
    • 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves
    • 1 lemon zested and juiced plus more zest for garnish
    • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • 2 ounces freshly grated Parmesan plus more for garnish

      INSTRUCTIONS  

    breadcrumb topping

    • Place a large pan over medium heat and melt butter.
    • Add breadcrumbs and toast for 1 minute.
    • Stir in salt and chives. Remove from heat, transfer to a bowl and set aside.

    pasta

    • Place a large pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Once water is boiling, add a small handful of salt and spaghetti.
    • Cook spaghetti for 6 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente. Strain pasta into a colander, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
    • Using a paper towel, wipe out the same pan used for breadcrumbs. Place pan over medium heat and add oil.
    • Add shallots and garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, just until the mixture becomes fragrant, but hasn’t started to brown.
    • Add lemon zest, juice and crushed pepper flakes and continue to cook for another 30seconds.
    • Add pasta and pasta water and toss together. Cook until half the liquid has evaporated, about 1 minute. Add parmesan then season with salt and pepper and toss together until pasta is evenly coated.
    • Transfer pasta to serving bowls or plates and top with breadcrumb mixture, more lemon zest and more grated parmesan. Serve.

      NOTES  

    Tips and Tricks for Success
    • Don’t forget to add a little bit of pasta water to the dish. It really helps to bring the dish together and add a slight creaminess to the overall meal.
    • Use fresh lemons for the juice/zest! The lemon flavor is such a big part of this pasta, that it really needs the fresh lemon to make it shine.
    Storing Leftovers and Reheating 
    Our lemon pasta can be stored in an airtight container, in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days. To reheat, transfer pasta to a pan with a little bit of water and heat over medium-low heat until pasta has warmed through.
    Calories: 565kcal Carbohydrates: 76g Protein: 18g Fat: 21g Saturated Fat: 9g Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g Monounsaturated Fat: 9g Trans Fat: 0.3g Cholesterol: 32mg Sodium: 603mg Potassium: 298mg Fiber: 4g Sugar: 4g Vitamin A: 486IU Vitamin C: 16mg Calcium: 223mg Iron: 2mg
    CUISINE: Italian
    KEYWORD: quick and easy pasta recipe
    COURSE: dinner, lunch, Main Course, main dish
    DIET : Vegetarian

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    April 11, 2023 / 1 Comment

    About Jenny Park

    Jenny Park is half of Spoon Fork Bacon. She is also a food stylist and recipe developer. One of her favorite foods is donuts. #sfbJENNY

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    April 11, 2023 / 1 Comment

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    1. Lori

      April 18, 2023 at 11:46 am

      Making this great looking recipe for dinner tonight. Can’t wait to taste it.
      I was thinking that it would be nice if you put the 1/2 cup of pasta water on the sauce ingredients list.
      Love your site and all the fabulous recipes😊

      Reply

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