Lemon-Dill Pasta with Sautéed Asparagus
A bright, herbaceous pasta dish featuring tender asparagus and a zesty lemon-dill sauce that coats every strand. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs Spaghetti, Olive oil, Lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 518 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
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/4 cup Lemon juice
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped Fresh dill
- 1 lb, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces Asparagus
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp (for pasta water) Salt
- 1/4 tsp Pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
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Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, add 1 tbsp salt, then cook 12 oz spaghetti for 8-10 minutes until al dente, draining and reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 lb asparagus pieces and a pinch of salt, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until vibrant green and tender-crisp.
- Step 3: Add 2 tbsp butter to the skillet and stir until melted, then add 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1/4 cup chopped dill, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Return drained spaghetti to the skillet with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, tossing vigorously for 2 minutes until sauce coats strands and cheese melts.
- Step 5: Season with 1/4 tsp pepper, toss once more, and serve immediately.








