Garden Herb Pasta with Garlic and Olive Oil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-08 · Updated 2026-04-08

A vibrant pasta dish with garden-fresh herbs and a light garlic-olive oil base, perfect for a quick weeknight meal. This Italian pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, and garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner. 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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 tbsp olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

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, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 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 fragrant but not browned.
3. Step 3: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup chopped basil, 2 tbsp chopped parsley, and 1 tsp lemon zest, tossing for 1 minute until pasta is coated.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, adding more reserved pasta water if needed to create a glossy sauce that clings to the pasta.
5. Step 5: Serve immediately with extra basil and Parmesan for garnish.