Lemon-Garlic Butter Pasta with Roasted Asparagus
A bright, simple pasta dish featuring tender asparagus and a zesty lemon-garlic butter sauce that clings perfectly to al dente noodles. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs spaghetti, asparagus, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 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
- 12 oz asparagus
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 lemon
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 12 oz trimmed asparagus pieces with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 12-15 minutes until tender-crisp and lightly browned.
- Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water (1 tsp salt) to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, 4 tbsp butter, and 2 tbsp chopped parsley. Cook for 2 minutes until butter melts and sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Add drained spaghetti to skillet and toss to coat. Add 1/4 cup reserved pasta water if sauce seems too thick. Toss for 1 minute until sauce clings to pasta.
- Step 6: Fold in roasted asparagus and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Garlic Butter Pasta with Roasted Asparagus take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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-Garlic Butter Pasta with Roasted 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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Garlic Butter Pasta with Roasted 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-Garlic Butter Pasta with Roasted 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-Garlic Butter Pasta with Roasted 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
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 25-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
