Designer's Delight Pasta

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A sleek, minimalist pasta dish with asparagus, prosciutto, and a light lemon-herb sauce, inspired by modern home decor aesthetics. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs spaghetti, asparagus, prosciutto for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.

★ 3.6 (15 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 400g spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 200g prosciutto slices, sauté for 3-4 minutes until prosciutto is crispy and garlic is fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 300g asparagus spears (trimmed and cut into 3cm pieces) and sauté for 4-5 minutes until tender-crisp. Stir in 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 30g chopped parsley, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Toss to coat.
  4. Step 4: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and mix well. Finish with 50g grated parmesan and a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Designer's Delight Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (25 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 Designer's Delight 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 Designer's Delight 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 Designer's Delight 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 Designer's Delight 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.

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