Lemon-Garlic Pasta with Fresh Herbs and Parmesan

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-04 · Updated 2026-07-04

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A simple yet flavorful Italian pasta dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a bright lemon-garlic sauce with fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs spaghetti, extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4, thinly sliced garlic cloves
1 tbsp lemon zest
3 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
2 tbsp, chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup, freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup reserved pasta water

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Instructions

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. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain the rest.
Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
Step 3: Add 1 tbsp lemon zest, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook for 1 minute.
Step 4: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly and coats every strand.
Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil, and 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Toss gently and serve immediately.