One-Pan Lemon Garlic Pasta with Asparagus
A quick weeknight dinner featuring tender pasta, crisp asparagus, and a bright lemon-garlic sauce. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 22 minutes pairs spaghetti pasta, minced garlic, zest and juice lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 8 oz spaghetti pasta
- 12 oz, trimmed and cut into 1.5-inch pieces asparagus
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1, zest and juice lemon
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz asparagus and cook for 4 minutes until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes to the skillet, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats pasta.
- Step 5: Remove from heat. Stir in 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Lemon Garlic Pasta with Asparagus take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 Garlic Pasta with Asparagus?
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 pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Lemon Garlic Pasta with Asparagus?
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 Garlic Pasta with Asparagus 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 Garlic Pasta with Asparagus?
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.
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