One-Pan Garlic Pasta with Lemon Zest

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 minimalist pasta dish that transforms pantry staples into a bright, fragrant meal in under 20 minutes. The lemon zest cuts through the richness for a balanced finish. This Italian-inspired quick recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. 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, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant — do not brown the garlic.
  3. Step 3: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/4 cup fresh parsley, zest of 1 lemon, juice of 1/2 lemon, and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss for 2 minutes until the sauce clings to the pasta and thickens slightly.
  4. Step 4: Season with salt and black pepper to taste, then serve immediately.

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