One-Pot Garlic Butter Lemon Pasta
A simple, comforting pasta dish with a bright lemony flavor and rich garlic butter sauce, perfect for a quick weeknight meal. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs spaghetti, unsalted butter, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large skillet or shallow pot, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat until foaming. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Pour in 2 cups vegetable broth and add 8 oz spaghetti broken in half to fit, stirring to submerge the pasta. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss well until the cheese melts and coats the pasta evenly.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Garlic Butter Lemon Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (5 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-Pot Garlic Butter Lemon 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-Pot Garlic Butter Lemon 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-Pot Garlic Butter Lemon 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.
Is One-Pot Garlic Butter Lemon Pasta 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.
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