Common Surname Pasta

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A simple yet elegant pasta dish with garlic, olive oil, and a hint of lemon, honoring the everyday ingredients found in American kitchens. This general-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 510 calories and feeds 2, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 510 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 4 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until garlic is fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add drained spaghetti to skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, 1 zested and juiced lemon, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1/2 tsp salt, and toss vigorously for 1 minute until sauce thickens and coats pasta strands.
  4. Step 4: Serve immediately with extra lemon zest for garnish, ensuring the pasta is glossy and evenly coated with the light, herbaceous sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Common Surname Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Common Surname 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 Common Surname 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 Common Surname Pasta for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Common Surname Pasta?

General 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

Related recipes