Aperol-Bright Orange Pasta with Citrus Herb Sauce
A vibrant pasta dish infused with Aperol's bittersweet essence, topped with zesty citrus and fresh herbs. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs spaghetti, Aperol, fresh orange juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 3 oz Aperol
- 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
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Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp thyme and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 3 oz Aperol and 2 tbsp orange juice, simmering for 2 minutes until the mixture reduces slightly and becomes fragrant.
- Step 3: Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet, adding 1/2 cup pasta water to loosen the sauce. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated. Garnish with lemon zest and additional thyme, then season with salt and black pepper.
