One-Pan Lemon-Tarragon Pasta with Asparagus
A vibrant weeknight meal where tender pasta and crisp asparagus cook together in a lemony tarragon sauce with garlic and white wine. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 40 minutes pairs spaghetti, trimmed asparagus, extra virgin olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 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 lb, trimmed asparagus
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh tarragon
- 1/2 cup, grated pecorino romano
- 1 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 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 lb trimmed asparagus and 4 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 4 minutes until asparagus is crisp-tender and garlic is fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 1/2 cup dry white wine and simmer for 2 minutes until reduced by half, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet.
- Step 4: Add the drained spaghetti, 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, zest and juice of 1 lemon, and 1/2 cup grated pecorino romano. Toss for 2 minutes until the sauce coats the pasta and thickens, adding more pasta water if needed.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Lemon-Tarragon Pasta with Asparagus take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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-Tarragon 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 from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Lemon-Tarragon 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-Tarragon 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-Tarragon Pasta with Asparagus?
Italian one pot 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
- ★★★★★
This recipe saved my Tuesday! 30 minutes from start to finish, and my family fought over the last bite. The tarragon was a wonderful surprise.
- ★★★★★
As a Chinese chef, I was skeptical about the tarragon, but it was amazing! The asparagus stayed crisp and the lemon was the perfect tang.
- ★★★★★
This was a hit at dinner party! The lemon and tarragon really brightened the dish. Made it for my vegan friends by skipping cheese and they loved it.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
