Google's Favorite Pasta

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

A bright lemon-herb pasta with garlic and Parmesan, capturing the clean, refreshing simplicity of a perfect search result. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 22 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 435 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: 12 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 435 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 60 seconds until fragrant and just golden (do not brown).
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1/4 cup lemon juice and the drained pasta, tossing for 2 minutes until the sauce clings to the strands. Add 2 tbsp reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped parsley and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan. Season with salt until the pasta is evenly coated and the lemon flavor is balanced.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Google's Favorite Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 Google's Favorite 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 Google's Favorite 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 Google's Favorite 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 Google's Favorite 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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