Creamy Lemon-Herb Pasta with Asparagus

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-05 · Updated 2026-04-05

A bright, elegant pasta dish featuring tender asparagus, lemon zest, and fresh herbs, ready in under 25 minutes. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs spaghetti, asparagus, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 lb, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces asparagus
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1, zest and 2 tbsp juice lemon
• 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill
• 3 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 1/4 cup vegetable broth
• 1/2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. 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.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb trimmed asparagus pieces and sauté for 4 minutes until crisp-tender, then set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, then add 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 cup vegetable broth, 1/2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Step 4: Add the drained spaghetti and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to the skillet, tossing to coat. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and the cooked asparagus until heated through.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy, adding 1-2 tbsp reserved pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency.