Lemon-Dill Pasta with Fresh Asparagus
Quick-cooked pasta tossed with tender asparagus and a bright, herbaceous lemon-dill sauce. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs fettuccine, chopped fresh dill, zested and juiced lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 8 oz fettuccine
- 12 oz, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces asparagus
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add asparagus and sauté for 5 minutes until crisp-tender, then add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add cooked pasta, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 2 tbsp chopped dill, lemon zest, and lemon juice to the skillet. Toss well, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a light sauce. Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan until melted.
- Step 4: Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Serve immediately with additional dill for garnish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Dill Pasta with Fresh Asparagus take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Lemon-Dill Pasta with Fresh Asparagus?
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 fettuccine from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Dill Pasta with Fresh Asparagus?
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 Lemon-Dill Pasta with Fresh Asparagus 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 Lemon-Dill Pasta with Fresh Asparagus?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
