Lemon-Garlic Pasta with Roasted Asparagus

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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.

Tender asparagus and al dente pasta coated in a bright lemon-garlic sauce, finished with fresh herbs for a simple yet elegant weeknight dinner. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs spaghetti, asparagus, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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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: Trim 12 oz asparagus and cut into 2-inch pieces. Toss with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper, then spread on a baking sheet. Roast at 425°F for 12 minutes until tender-crisp.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding browning.
  4. Step 4: Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, 1/2 cup heavy cream, and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan. Cook for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Step 5: Add drained spaghetti and roasted asparagus to the skillet. Toss with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water until creamy, then stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil.

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