Simmered Lemon Pasta with Cannellini Beans
Bright, creamy pasta featuring tender spaghetti tossed with lemon zest, white beans, and fresh herbs for a simple weeknight dinner. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs spaghetti, (15 oz, drained) cannellini beans, lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 can (15 oz, drained) cannellini beans
- 1 lemon
- 4 cloves garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 1 cup pasta water
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, reserving 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- 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: Add 1 can drained cannellini beans and 2 tbsp lemon zest to the skillet, stirring to coat. Add 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 4: Toss drained spaghetti into the skillet with 1/4 cup fresh parsley. Add remaining pasta water as needed to create a glossy sauce that clings to the strands.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simmered Lemon Pasta with Cannellini Beans take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Simmered Lemon Pasta with Cannellini Beans?
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 Simmered Lemon Pasta with Cannellini Beans?
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 Simmered Lemon Pasta with Cannellini Beans 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 Simmered Lemon Pasta with Cannellini Beans 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Cooked this for my in-laws—they asked for the recipe twice! So fresh and light.
- ★★★★★
The lemon brightness and creamy beans made this a weeknight hero—my kids even ate their vegetables!
- ★★★★☆
Perfect for a quick dinner, though I’d add more garlic next time. The lemon zest was a bit subtle.
