Lemon-Garlic Herb Pasta with Parmesan

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-16 · Updated 2026-04-16

A bright, simple pasta dish with zesty lemon, aromatic garlic, and creamy Parmesan, ready in 35 minutes. This Italian pasta recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, and garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 550 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
3. Step 3: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 2 tbsp lemon juice and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the pasta.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese and 1 tbsp chopped parsley until melted and creamy.