Lemon-Garlic Spaghetti with Fresh Basil and Parmesan

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A bright and simple pasta dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed with zesty lemon, garlic, fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 17 minutes pairs spaghetti, for pasta water salt, olive oil 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: 5 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add 1 tbsp salt. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 9-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 tbsp lemon zest and 2 tbsp lemon juice to the skillet, stirring to combine. Add the drained spaghetti and toss with the lemon-garlic oil, adding reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time to loosen the sauce.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Season with 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper and toss until pasta is evenly coated and creamy. Serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Lemon-Garlic Spaghetti with Fresh Basil and Parmesan take to make?

Total time is about 17 minutes (5 min prep + 12 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 Spaghetti with Fresh Basil and Parmesan?

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 Spaghetti with Fresh Basil and Parmesan?

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 Spaghetti with Fresh Basil and Parmesan 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.

Is Lemon-Garlic Spaghetti with Fresh Basil and Parmesan vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes