Lemon-Herb Garlic Butter Pasta
A vibrant, restaurant-quality pasta dish with tender spaghetti coated in a fragrant garlic-herb sauce, brightened by lemon zest and finished with a rich butter finish. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 27 minutes pairs Spaghetti, Unsalted butter, Extra-virgin olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 8 oz Spaghetti
- 3 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
- 5 cloves Garlic
- 3 tbsp Fresh parsley
- 1 Lemon
- 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/4 cup Pasta water
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, adding 1 teaspoon salt. Cook 8 oz spaghetti until al dente (8-10 minutes), then reserve 1/4 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Step 3: Add 3 tablespoons finely chopped parsley to the skillet, stirring for 30 seconds until vibrant green and aromatic.
- Step 4: Toss the drained spaghetti into the skillet with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, stirring for 1 minute until the sauce thickens and clings to the pasta.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 3 tablespoons melted butter, the zest of 1 lemon, and a pinch of salt until the sauce glistens and coats the spaghetti evenly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Herb Garlic Butter Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (12 min prep + 15 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-Herb Garlic Butter Pasta?
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-Herb Garlic Butter Pasta?
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-Herb Garlic Butter Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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-Herb Garlic Butter Pasta?
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
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
