Azure Cloud Pasta
A light, lemon-dill pasta with a silky sauce that mimics the ethereal quality of Microsoft's cloud services, perfect for a refreshing weeknight dinner. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs spaghetti, lemon, fresh dill for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 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
- 1 large (zested and juiced) lemon
- 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, adding 1 tsp salt. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with the juice and zest of 1 large lemon, 2 tbsp fresh dill, 1 tbsp unsalted butter, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss for 1 minute until pasta is coated and butter melts.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, tossing vigorously for 1 minute until sauce thickens and coats every strand.
- Step 5: Season with additional salt and pepper to taste, then serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Azure Cloud Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Azure Cloud Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Azure Cloud Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Azure Cloud Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Azure Cloud Pasta?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
