One-Pan Lemon-Dill Pasta
A simple weeknight dinner with tender pasta coated in a bright lemon-dill sauce that comes together in a single skillet. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, minced garlic 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
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh dill
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- 1/2 cup, freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1 tsp salt and 12 oz spaghetti, cooking for 8 minutes until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water, and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh dill and 2 tbsp lemon juice, then add the drained spaghetti and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan until melted. Season with salt to taste and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Lemon-Dill Pasta 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 One-Pan Lemon-Dill Pasta?
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 One-Pan Lemon-Dill Pasta?
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 One-Pan Lemon-Dill Pasta 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 One-Pan Lemon-Dill Pasta?
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
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 15-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
