Herb-Infused Lemon Pasta with Fresh Basil and Chives

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-23 · Updated 2026-04-23

About the author — Lauren Mitchell is the Test Kitchen Director at AislePrompt, with over a decade of professional kitchen experience spanning recipe development, culinary technique testing, and hands-on evaluation of cooking methods across hundreds of tested dishes. She sets the technique templates and dietary-tag rules this AI-assisted recipe is built from and directs the Test Kitchen's sampled cook-through checks — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed. Full author profile →

A bright, simple pasta dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a lemon-garlic sauce with garden-fresh basil and chives. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. 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 "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: 15 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

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

Frequently asked questions

How long does Herb-Infused Lemon Pasta with Fresh Basil and Chives take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Herb-Infused Lemon Pasta with Fresh Basil and Chives?

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 Herb-Infused Lemon Pasta with Fresh Basil and Chives?

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 Herb-Infused Lemon Pasta with Fresh Basil and Chives 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 Herb-Infused Lemon Pasta with Fresh Basil and Chives?

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.