Lemon-Basil Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Pine Nuts

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-22 · Updated 2026-05-22

Al dente spaghetti tossed in a bright lemon and fresh basil sauce studded with sun-dried tomatoes and toasted pine nuts for a fragrant vegetarian pasta. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 22 minutes, pairs spaghetti, salt, olive oil 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
• 1 tbsp for pasta water salt
• 4 tbsp divided olive oil
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• 1 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup, toasted pine nuts
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water (1 tbsp salt) to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
3. Step 3: Add 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes until warmed through.
4. Step 4: Toss the drained spaghetti into the skillet with the garlic and tomatoes. Add 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 cup chopped fresh basil, and 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts. Stir gently to combine.
5. Step 5: If pasta seems dry, add reserved pasta water 2 tbsp at a time until the sauce lightly coats the noodles.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper before serving.