Lemon-Herb Pasta with 2:5 Cheese Ratio
A bright, creamy pasta dish where 2 tablespoons of olive oil meld with 5 ounces of sharp cheese for a perfect 7-ingredient harmony. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs Olive oil, Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, Spaghetti 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.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 5 oz Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 oz Spaghetti
- 1 tbsp Lemon zest
- 3 tbsp Fresh parsley
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
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: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley and cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Stir in 5 oz freshly grated Parmesan cheese and 1 tbsp lemon zest, then add the drained spaghetti and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats every strand.
- Step 4: Season with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then serve immediately.
