Lemon Herb Pasta

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 drafted and published.

A light, zesty pasta dish serving exactly two people with precise half-measurements for bright, fresh flavor. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs spaghetti, extra-virgin olive oil, lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1/2 tsp salt and 6 oz spaghetti, stirring to prevent sticking. Cook for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, zest 1/2 lemon and set zest aside. Cut 1/2 lemon into 4 wedges. Mince 2 garlic cloves finely.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to skillet with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until sauce clings to pasta, adding more pasta water if needed.
  5. Step 5: Squeeze juice from 2 lemon wedges over pasta, then stir in 1/4 cup chopped parsley and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan. Toss until cheese melts and coats pasta evenly.
  6. Step 6: Season with 1/2 tsp kosher salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Serve immediately, garnished with reserved lemon zest.

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