Herbed Buttered Pasta with Garlic and Lemon Zest
A simple pasta tossed in a luscious butter sauce with fresh herbs, garlic, and a hint of zesty lemon for brightness. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 20 minutes pairs spaghetti, unsalted butter, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp for pasta water plus 1/2 tsp for sauce salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add 1 tbsp salt. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain the rest.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, melt 5 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss well to coat the strands in butter and garlic.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1/2 tsp salt. Cook for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and clings to the pasta.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and add 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until cheese melts into a silky sauce that coats every strand.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herbed Buttered Pasta with Garlic and Lemon Zest take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (5 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 Herbed Buttered Pasta with Garlic and Lemon Zest?
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 Herbed Buttered Pasta with Garlic and Lemon Zest?
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 Herbed Buttered Pasta with Garlic and Lemon Zest 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 Herbed Buttered Pasta with Garlic and Lemon Zest?
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.
