Herb-Infused Lemon Pasta with Fresh Basil and Chives

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-23 · Updated 2026-04-23

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A bright, simple pasta dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a lemon-garlic sauce with garden-fresh basil and chives. This Italian pasta recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, and garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 450 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 "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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

8 ounces spaghetti
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
to taste salt

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 ounces spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant and golden—do not brown the garlic.
Step 3: Add drained spaghetti to skillet with 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1/2 cup chopped basil, 2 tablespoons chopped chives, and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats pasta.
Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan and season with salt to taste. Serve immediately.