Lemon-Herb White Bean Pasta with Crispy Garlic
A bright, protein-packed pasta dish featuring tender spaghetti, creamy white beans, and a fragrant garlic-lemon sauce that comes together in under 20 minutes. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs spaghetti, extra virgin olive oil, thinly sliced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed cannellini beans
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves, thinly sliced garlic
- 1, zest and juice lemon
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 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: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and golden — do not brown the garlic.
- Step 3: Add the drained cannellini beans, 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, 1 tbsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the skillet. Simmer for 3 minutes, mashing some beans to thicken the sauce slightly until it coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 4: Toss the drained spaghetti into the skillet with the bean sauce, adding 2 tbsp reserved pasta water if needed to loosen. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped parsley and cook for 1 minute until everything is heated through.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Herb White Bean Pasta with Crispy Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 White Bean Pasta with Crispy Garlic?
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 White Bean Pasta with Crispy Garlic?
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 White Bean Pasta with Crispy Garlic 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-Herb White Bean Pasta with Crispy Garlic 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Love how the Mediterranean come through in every bite.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
