Lemon-Herb Lemon-Garlic Pasta with Asparagus
A bright, zesty pasta dish with tender asparagus and fragrant garlic, finished with a lemony cream sauce that clings perfectly to every strand. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs Spaghetti, Asparagus, Olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz Spaghetti
- 12 oz Asparagus
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 1 Lemon
- 1/2 cup Heavy cream
- 1/4 cup Fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
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, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Trim asparagus spears and cut into 1-inch pieces; in a large skillet, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add asparagus and cook for 4-5 minutes until crisp-tender, then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves to the same skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned; stir in the juice of 1 lemon, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 4: Return drained pasta to the skillet along with 2 tbsp reserved pasta water; add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup chopped parsley, tossing vigorously for 1 minute until the sauce coats the pasta evenly.
- Step 5: Gently fold in the cooked asparagus, stirring until heated through, then serve immediately with extra Parmesan and parsley.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Herb Lemon-Garlic Pasta with Asparagus take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Lemon-Garlic Pasta with Asparagus?
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 Lemon-Garlic Pasta with Asparagus?
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 Lemon-Garlic Pasta with Asparagus 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.
What goes well with Lemon-Herb Lemon-Garlic Pasta with Asparagus?
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
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
